Menendez brothers attorney's focus on grisly photos part of strategic defense play to free killers: experts
Share and Follow


Erik and Lyle Menendez are leaning on a multipronged strategy as the brothers seek resentencing for their parents’ California murders, legal experts said.

The brothers’ had their first resentencing hearing in Los Angeles on Thursday and will be back in court on May 9 as they try to get out of prison for killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989.

Los Angeles attorney Tre Lovell told Fox News Digital the defense is focusing on three major strategies: the brothers’ rehabilitation, testimony from character witnesses, and revisiting the sexual abuse they claim to have endured as children.

“They’ve changed since the crimes occurred,” Lovell said, citing years of post-conviction efforts, including obtaining a college degree from UC Irvine, leading prison self-help classes, and starting support programs like Green Space and a hospice care initiative. 

The Menendez brothers and their supporters have been pushing for a resentencing hearing, saying they were unfairly convicted to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.

Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have since come forward claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s.

Their first trial ended in a mistrial, when jurors couldn’t agree on their fate. After a second trial in the mid-1990s, in which some of their evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive was greed. 

If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it would then be up to the state parole board to consider their release.

Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price and Mike Ruiz contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Bitter Obama takes stunningly petty dig at Trump in Gaza deal remark

Obama Makes Subtle Remark on Trump in Reference to Gaza Deal

Barack Obama refused to name Donald Trump in an astonishing snub to…
Disney moves forward with live-action 'Tangled'

Disney Advances with Live-Action Adaptation of ‘Tangled’

While no casting announcements have been confirmed, Variety reports Scarlett Johansson is…
Baker and Taylor closes in Momence in Kankakee County, Illinois without warning, leaving hundreds unemployed

Baker and Taylor Unexpectedly Shuts Down in Momence, Illinois: Hundreds Left Jobless

MOMENCE, Ill. (WLS) — Just months after losing one of its largest…
Appeals court restores Trump's control over Oregon National Guard, but deployment remains barred

Court Reinstates Trump’s Authority Over Oregon National Guard, Deployment Restrictions Persist

A federal appeals court on Wednesday lifted a judge’s order blocking President…
World leaders praise 'landmark' Israel-Hamas peace deal mediated by US: 'New horizon of hope'

World leaders praise ‘landmark’ Israel-Hamas peace deal mediated by US: ‘New horizon of hope’

Palestinians react to first phase of ceasfire Residents of Khan Younis, Gaza…
How to get the most out of the early holiday shopping deals

Maximizing Early Holiday Shopping Deals

There has rarely been a more confusing time to be a holiday…
Special Report: Grand jury indicts N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James

Breaking News: N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James Indicted by Grand Jury

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
Ashley Judd announces return to acting after 'personal journey'

Ashley Judd Set to Make Acting Comeback Following ‘Personal Journey’

Ashley Judd shared this week that she is returning to acting after…