Erik Menendez: As Erik Menendez’s resentencing hearing approaches, the case of the infamous 1989 murders of his parents, José and Kitty Menendez, is once again igniting fierce debate.
While Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón supports reducing the brothers’ sentences, citing their transformation in prison, critics—many of whom were involved in their original trials—remain steadfast in their belief that Erik and his brother Lyle should remain behind bars.
The Menendez brothers, found guilty of brutally gunning down their parents, received a life sentence without parole. In a new twist, a letter surfaced, allegedly written by Erik in 1988 to his cousin, which some believe could corroborate the abuse the brothers say they endured. However, prosecutors like Juan Mejia cast doubt on its authenticity, citing inconsistencies and the absence of the original document.
Despite the horrors of their crime, Gascón argues the brothers no longer pose a public safety risk, pointing to their positive behavior in prison. The decision to resign is set for December 11, with incoming DA Nathan Hochman expected to review the facts carefully before making any moves.
As the hearing date nears, the public and legal opinions remain divided—will Erik and Lyle Menendez finally get a chance at parole, or will the brutal nature of their crime keep them behind bars? This case continues to capture national attention, raising questions about justice, redemption, and the lasting impact of trauma.
Erik and Lyle Menendez’s Attorney Reveals Whether They Have a Plan If They Are Released From Prison As the new hearing for Lyle and Erik Menéndez draws near, are the brothers preparing for their potential release from prison? Their attorney, Mark Geragos, spoke with Us Weekly and other reporters at a press conference held by the Menéndez family, saying, “I won’t speak to whether [Erik and Lyle] have a plan.
I think you need to ground yourself to get through each day.” Geragos noted that Lyle, 56, and Erik, 53, are aware of just how difficult the transition would be for them, adding, “It’s a long road from life without [parole] for almost 17 years to being hopeful.”
Erik and Lyle’s legal counsel clarified whether they anticipate a new trial or the siblings’ release. “Our initial filing aimed to overturn the conviction. That’s what a writ of habeas corpus is. This also includes a resentence component. So it’s two tracks,” Geragos explained.
He seemed optimistic about the outcome of the hearing, revealing, “We may release it tomorrow, but part of the mitigation package that we presented to the District Attorney in Los Angeles are letters from correctional officers—hhigh-ranking correctional officers—wwho attest to the phenomenal rehabilitation.”
Erik Menendez, HS Classmate, Breaks Silence: ‘Something Was Horribly Wrong’ Alison Triessl, a former high school classmate of Erik, recalled the brothers’ father, José Menendez, as “one of the strictest, meanest, most demeaning” fathers she had ever seen. “He was cruel to Erik, and he put him down all the time, and he had a fiery temper,” she said. “His presence undeniably intimidated Erik; there was no doubt about it.”
While Erik came across as “bright and arrogant” at school, Triess sensed a darker reality at home. “I could only imagine the level of pressure José would put Erik under when they were at home behind closed doors,” she said. “I imagined it to be horrific,” she said.
Erik’s lack of sadness and concern after the murders left Triessl “struck,” as he instead “talked about money, cars, watches, and going to Israel.” This seemed odd to her, leading her to consult her psychiatrist’s father, who said, “People experience grief in different ways.”
Triessl was “surprised” by the defense strategy, arguing the brothers had killed their parents in self-defense after enduring years of abuse, as she did not have that impression of the family. However, she recognized that this was a different era, when open discussions about such issues, particularly involving boys, were less common.
Now, with the Menendez brothers potentially facing freedom, Triessl has expressed her “impressment with the amount of reform and rehabilitation that they have accomplished.” She said, “There really was no incentive for them to start all these programs or have these support groups, because a lot of people in prison will do a lot of things to be on their best behavior so that when their parole hearing comes up, they can say, ‘Hey, I did X, Y, and Z.’ In this case, a parole hearing was never scheduled. It appears that they were able to implement significant change and reform on their own.