Erik and Lyle Menendez already have a judge in charge of their resentencing for the killing of their parents more than three decades ago.
Judge William C. Ryan of the Los Angeles County Superior Court has been appointed to issue a new sentence for the brothers following a recommendation by District Attorney George Gascón.
@abcnews Los Angeles County DA George Gascón has recommended resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are each serving life in prison without parole for the 1989 murders of their parents in the family’s Beverly Hills home. The attorney for Lyle and Erik Menendez said he thinks the brothers are "cautiously optimistic that they can see some real relief," and his goal is to have the brothers home for Thanksgiving. ABC News' Matt Gutman has more. #news #menendezbrothers
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Known for his progressive and humane approach, Judge Ryan is regarded as "a favorite of the defense" within California's legal circles, suggesting a potentially favorable outcome for Erik and Lyle. Ryan's review of the case will be thorough and probably lengthy, as it involves assessing whether recent evidence of abuse justifies a resentencing.
Ryan will consider in the upcoming hearing the possibility of reducing the brothers' sentences, granting parole, or even ordering a new trial. The brothers claim they acted in self-defense after years of psychological and physical abuse.
This new legal process aligns with society's growing awareness of the effects of child abuse and the re-evaluation of long-standing cases, fueled by renewed media coverage and documentaries exploring the history of family abuse in the Menendez case.
Ryan's decision will have a significant impact not only on the Menendez brothers' fate but also on the precedent it may set in the judicial system regarding resentencing in cases with new evidence of unaddressed trauma in the original trials.
@abcnews "It's possible that this could move very quickly, but there are a couple of steps this does have to go through." ABC News' Matt Gutman reports from Los Angeles after the district attorney recommended resentencing for the Menendez brothers. #menendezbrothers #breakingnews #news #abcnews
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What's Next For Erik & Lyle Menendez
The District Attorney's Office, led by Gascón, filed the resentencing request for the Menendez brothers on Thursday.
Judge William C. Ryan will now establish a schedule for hearing defense arguments and set a hearing date on the petition. The Menendez brothers' attorneys support the motion, which could expedite the hearing process.
The judge's decision will hinge on whether the brothers meet the criteria of good conduct and rehabilitation, proving they no longer pose a threat to society.
Since taking office, Gascón's team has reviewed over 700 cases for possible resentencing, with 332 granted by the court. However, some cases have been rejected with the court deeming the arguments insufficient to reduce the sentence.
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