In a shocking twist, a new judge has been assigned to the Menendez Brothers case and their fate is now in his hands.
Erik and Lyle Menendez will now have their case heard at the Van Nuys Courthouse, the original courthouse where they were originally tried for murdering their parents, under judge Michael V. Jesic of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to TMZ. Jesic has been described as having a firm belief in doing what’s right, rather than what’s easy, and is known to push reinvestigations to obtain more information. This is a much different approach than the original judge, William C. Ryan, who leaned toward a change in their conviction that would result in their immediate release, according to TMZ.
Trial of the Menendez brothers in Los Angeles – Erik Menendez. Los Angeles, 9th March 1994. (Photo by Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)
Jesic was assigned as the third prosecutor on a 2006 gang murder case and he pushed to have the case reinvestigated after the suspect’s public defender claimed they were misidentified and wrongfully accused, according to TMZ. Jesic’s own D.A.’s office was against the move, but he insisted they reinvestigate the case.
The judge ultimately dropped the case, but not until he was satisfied that it was thoroughly addressed, according to TMZ.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón requested that the Menendez brothers be resentenced and if there is a change in conviction, it would dramatically increase their chances of being immediately released on parole.
The hearing for the Menendez brothers has been slated for November. They are hoping to be released from prison before Thanksgiving and their legal team is working on all avenues to secure their freedom.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24 : Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announces his decision on a possible resentencing recommendation for Erik and Lyle Menendez on October 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Lyle and Erik Menendez, known also as The Menendez brothers, have spent over 30 years in prison for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills mansion. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
Mark Geragos, the legal representative working on behalf of the Menendez Brothers, sought clemency from California’s governor. He told TMZ he is filing documents Oct. 29 requesting California Gov. Gavin Newsom grant them clemency in this case, according to TMZ. (RELATED: Judge Requests Release Of Man Convicted Of Killing Michael Jordan’s Father From Jail In Shocking Turn Of Events)
The Menendez Brothers have served nearly 35 years in jail after being convicted in the murders of their parents. They alleged their father sexually abused them and they acted in self defense, but that was not part of their original trial. Another male recently came forward alleging he was sexually abused by their father, which prompted Gascon to reevaluate this matter, according to TMZ.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
