An California court official has rejected a bid for a retrial for Erik and Lyle Menendez, asserting that allegations of sexual abuse did not outweigh their planning and intent when they killed their parents over 35 years ago.
Recent Decision and Judicial Background
The recent ruling by Los Angeles superior court Judge the presiding judge comes just a short time after the brothers were denied early release and closes another possible path to liberty for the two, who have been in almost 30 years behind bars.
The brothers were given life sentences in 1996 for fatally shooting their father, their dad, and mother, their mother, in their luxury mansion in 1989. They were 18 and 21 at the time.
While their lawyers contended the brothers acted in self protection after years of mistreatment, prosecutors claimed the pair murdered their family for a multimillion-dollar fortune.
Parole Proceedings and Court's Rationale
The court official stated that new proof that slightly corroborates the abuse allegations does not negate the fact that the brothers acted with premeditation and deliberation.
"The evidence alleged here is not so convincing that it would have produced a reasonable doubt in the mind of at least one jury member," the court noted.
The brothers' attorney, a legal representative for the defendants, did not right away comment on the ruling.
Latest Release Outcomes
A panel of two commissioners on August 22 denied the older brother release for a three-year period after a daylong hearing. Commissioners noted that the older brother still displayed anti-social behaviors like dishonesty, minimization, and rule-breaking.
The younger brother, who is incarcerated at the identical prison in Southern California, was similarly refused parole a day earlier, after officials determined that his misbehavior in prison made him a risk to society.
Brothers' Accounts and Support
During his hearing, Erik Menendez offered his most detailed description in years of how he was raised and why he made the decisions he did.
"I didn't grow up with a ethical grounding," he stated. "I was taught to lie, to cheat, to steal in an abstract way."
In recent months, backing from celebrities and greater awareness of the brothers as survivors of mistreatment has contributed to gather a legion of advocates who have called for their release.
The former Los Angeles district attorney initially paved the way to possible release for the defendants by petitioning a judge to reduce their sentences.
Since their conviction, the inmates have gotten an education, participated in rehabilitative programs, and started various support groups for fellow people in prison.
Concluding Remarks
The court's decision to ultimately reject the new trial petition followed a period of opposition from current prosecutors.
