Los Angeles District Attorney Reviewing Menendez Brothers' Conviction, Sentence

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon announced on Thursday that his office is reviewing the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, whoare currently serving life without parole for their parents’ murders in 1989.

The brothers were both convicted in 1996 for killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, and attorneys claimed during their widely watched trial that they had killed their parents in self-defense following years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Despite the emotional testimony and family members corroborating the abuse allegations, prosecutors argued that the privileged young men killed their parents because they feared being cut off financially.

Gascon, who is currently up for reelection, said his office is reviewing evidence in the case. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 29 on the brothers’ petition to have their conviction vacated due to new evidence, and separately, their attorneys have asked for them to be resentenced.

“I’m not leaning in any direction right now, I’m keeping an open mind,” Gascon said at Thursday’s press conference.

The brothers’ case has recently received new attention in the courts and in pop culture.

In 2023, the Peacock docuseries, “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed” included the bombshell revelation by former boy band member Roy Rosselló that he had been raped by Jose Menendez, who was a record company executive.

Attorneys for the Menendez brothers called for a judge to consider that new evidence as well as a letter by Erik Menendez that suggested long-term sexual abuse by his father, the Los Angeles Times reported . If it had been presented to a jury, the evidence could have challenged prosecutors’ arguments at trial that the murders were motivated by money, the defense