Governor of California Delays Clemency Decision for Menendez Brothers
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided to wait for the county’s new district attorney, Nathan Hochman, to review the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted murderers who killed their parents in 1989, before making a decision on granting clemency. The governor’s office announced this on Nov. 18.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, the governor’s office stated, “The governor respects the role of the district attorney in ensuring justice is served and recognizes that voters have entrusted District Attorney-elect Hochman to carry out this responsibility.”
“The governor will defer to the DA-elect’s review and analysis of the Menendez case prior to making any clemency decisions,” the statement added.
The Menendez brothers were 21 and 18 when they committed the murders at their Beverly Hills home in 1989. They were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Erik and Lyle Menendez are currently incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
Defense lawyer Mark Geragos, who represents the brothers, submitted a clemency request to Newsom on Oct. 28. Outgoing Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón also sent a letter of support a few days later, urging the governor to grant the petition.
In California, convicts can request the governor for a commutation of their sentence or a pardon, which can reduce their prison term or restore some of their civic rights, respectively.
Gascón also filed a resentencing request on Oct. 25, seeking to change the brothers’ prison sentences and potentially secure their release after almost 35 years.
Despite the election results not yet being certified, District Attorney-elect Hochman, an independent candidate, leads with nearly 60 percent of the votes counted so far.
Neither Gascón’s office nor Hochman’s campaign commented on Newsom’s decision.
Garegos did not provide a comment to The Epoch Times, but his law firm’s spokeswoman mentioned that he had interviewed with several media outlets.
L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón announces his decision on a possible resentencing recommendation for Erik and Lyle Menendez on Oct. 24. Apu Gomes/Getty Images
A recent documentary on Netflix, “The Menendez Brothers,” by Campfire Studios, highlighted Erik and Lyle Menendez and their allegations of sexual abuse by their father.
During their trials, the brothers claimed to have endured years of abuse at the hands of their father, leading to their self-defense argument for killing their parents.
Court documents filed by Geragos last year include new evidence supporting the brothers’ claims, along with allegations of sexual abuse by the father from other sources.
Gascón mentioned that the documentary sparked calls for their release, prompting him to accelerate the resentencing request. He believes that the brothers have served their debt to society and should be reviewed for possible release by a parole board.
Court hearings are scheduled in Van Nuys to discuss proposals that could result in the immediate release of the Menendez brothers.
City News Service contributed to this report.
