The long-awaited date for the Menendez brothers to stand before a judge and learn their fate at a resentencing hearing has finally been set.
Erik, 53, and Lyle Menendez, 56, are expected to be physically present for the hearing scheduled for March 20 and 21 at the Van Nuys Courthouse, according to their legal team.
If the brothers attend, it will mark the first time in nearly 30 years they have made an in-person appearance in court.
The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1989 of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, and have since launched numerous appeals in an attempt to gain their freedom. They have consistently argued that the killings were the result of years of abuse and torment, which included sexual violence.
Both Erik and Lyle were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Now in their fifties, they have served 35 years behind bars.
The brothers were last seen in court in 1996 for the second trial of their parents’ murder, and they appeared virtually in November 2024.
Geragos & Geragos, the law firm representing the brothers, confirmed their intent to attend the hearing in person, though sources close to the case have suggested there is still a possibility they could appear virtually instead, and no final decision has been made.
The Menendez brothers have been eagerly anticipating this hearing for months, especially after it was initially set for January 30 and 31 but was postponed due to the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
In April 2021, District Attorney George Gascón established the Resentencing Unit within the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office to address over-incarceration through updated laws and policies.
By October 2024, Gascón announced that his office would recommend a resentencing to determine whether the Menendez brothers should be granted release.
“Since the original prosecution of the Menendez brothers more than nearly three decades ago, our office has gained a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual violence,” Gascón explained. “We recognize that it is a widespread issue impacting individuals of all gender identities, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to support all victims as they navigate the long-lasting effects of such trauma.”
The Resentencing Unit, under Gascón's direction, undertook a thorough review of the evidence provided by the brothers' attorneys. This involved a comprehensive examination of case materials, the creation of court filings, interviews with other family members, and assessments of the men’s rehabilitation and behavior during their time in prison.
Despite the brothers’ appeals, prosecutors continue to argue that they should remain incarcerated.
What will transpire at the resentencing hearing in March remains uncertain, and the case continues to capture public attention as the brothers await their fate.
