California Judge Denies Menendez Brothers' New Trial Request
A California judge denied Erik and Lyle Menendez's petition for a new trial, rejecting claims of self-defense based on new evidence of sexual abuse by their father.
Overview
A California judge recently denied Erik and Lyle Menendez's petition for a new trial, which was filed in May 2023, just weeks after they were also denied parole.
The brothers' defense attorneys argued that new evidence supported claims of years of sexual abuse by their father, leading them to act in self-defense.
However, the California judge ruled that this new evidence did not negate the premeditation and deliberation involved in the fatal shootings of their parents.
Lyle Menendez was denied parole for three years, while Erik Menendez's parole was denied due to prison misbehavior and being deemed a public safety risk.
The Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for fatally shooting their parents, with prosecutors alleging they sought a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Menendez brothers' new trial denial neutrally, presenting the judge's decision and its legal basis without editorializing. They provide factual context, including recent parole denials and the original trial's arguments, ensuring a balanced overview. The reporting focuses on official decisions and legal processes, maintaining an objective and informative tone.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The judge ruled that the newly presented evidence of sexual abuse by their father did not outweigh the premeditation and deliberation involved in the murders, thus rejecting the claim of self-defense and denying the new trial petition.
Lyle Menendez was denied parole for three years, while Erik Menendez was denied parole due to prison misbehavior and being deemed a public safety risk.
Prosecutors alleged the Menendez brothers killed their wealthy parents to secure a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
The defense claimed the brothers acted in self-defense after suffering years of sexual and emotional abuse from their father, which led to the fatal shootings.
Since their 1996 conviction for first-degree murder, the Menendez brothers have been serving life sentences in prison, with recent unsuccessful parole and retrial petitions.
History
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