Menendez brothers resentencing updates: Erik and Lyle plead self-defense as attorneys spar over grisly crime scene images
The resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving life in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, has begun in Los Angeles as both parties spar over grisly crime scene photos shown in court last week.
The Menendez brothers, who killed their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in Beverly Hills more than 30 years ago, appeared virtually in Los Angeles court today to determine if they should receive a lesser sentence.
In court today, defense attorney Mark Geragos condemned the prosecution for showing graphic images from the 1989 crime scene in court last week. Prosecutor Habib Balian then apologized to the Menendez family for showing the photos but said it was necessary because the brothers had committed “extremely depraved conduct,” according to the BBC.
Judge Michael Jesic then defended Balian and took responsibility for allowing the images to be shown in court without telling the family first. Jesic added that those attending the hearing need to be prepared for more potentially graphic content.
The brothers’ resentencing hearing will likely focus on their self-defense claim, arguing they killed their parents following years of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of their father. The brothers have also argued they have shown remorse and undergone rehabilitation while in prison.
Attorneys return to courtroom
The attorneys have returned to the courtroom where the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing is being held, signaling this afternoon’s recess may come to an end soon.
Follow along for live updates from The Independent.
Defense attorney claims Menendez family re-traumatized by crime scene photos
Defense attorney Mark Geragos says the graphic crime scene photos shown in court last week re-traumatized the Menendez family.
Prosecutors showed graphic images from the 1989 crime scene in court last week.
“He has abused the victims privately, he has abused the victims publicly,” Geragos said of Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman while speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, according to Fox News.
“You were all here when they flashed grisly crime scene photos on the screen,” he continued. “It took me a second—normally it would be the DA who jumps up and objects to that. Instead, it fell upon the defense to do so.”
Prosecutor Habib Balian had apologized to the Menendez family for showing the photos but said it was necessary because the brothers had committed “extremely depraved conduct.”
Judge Michael Jesic then defended Balian and took responsibility for allowing the images to be shown in court without telling the family first.
Jesic added that those attending the hearing need to be prepared for more potentially graphic content.
Recess called after dispute over motion to delay
The judge called a two-hour court recess today after the Menendez brothers’ defense team said they did not receive a copy of Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s filing from last night requesting a delay in the hearing.
Hochman argued the hearing should be delayed until state prison and parole officers complete their risk assessments on the brothers.
Defense attorney Mark Geragos called it “completely unfair,” and said the hearing can’t proceed until he has time to review the document.
Regardless, the judge still denied Hochman’s request to delay earlier Thursday, Deadline reports.
Defense attorney says prosecution ‘jumped the shark’
Defense attorney Mark Geragos says Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has “jumped the shark” and expressed frustration with Hochman’s comments to reporters before the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing Thursday.
Geragos said he is “very close to filing a motion to recuse the District Attorney.” A motion to recuse involves asking the prosecution to be removed from the case due to alleged bias or conflict of interest.
“This is another in a series of the DA’s office abdicating their role,” Geragos told reporters during the court recess on Thursday afternoon, according to NBC News. “They have… will say it again, they have jumped the shark.”
Monsters star Cooper Koch spotted supporting Menendez brothers in pivotal court hearing
The Netflix series, which featured 28-year-old Koch as Erik and 25-year-old Nicholas Chavez as Lyle, garnered renewed support for the brothers, who have been fighting for their release for the past 30 years.
Read more:
Defense claims prosecution has ‘bias’ and condemns use of graphic crime scene photos
Before the two-hour recess, defense attorney Mark Geragos accused District Attorney Nathan Hochman of having a personal bias against the Menendez brothers and condemned him for showing graphic images from the 1989 crime scene in court last week.
Geragos claimed prosecutors violated Marsy’s Law — a law which protects victims’ rights in court — by showing the pictures.
Prosecutor Habib Balian apologized to the Menendez family for showing the photos but said it was necessary because the brothers had committed “extremely depraved conduct.”
Judge Michael Jesic then defended Balian and took responsibility for allowing the images to be shown in court without telling the family first.
Jesic added that those attending the hearing need to be prepared for more potentially graphic content.
“If anyone is uncomfortable they need to think about whether they should be here,” Jesic said.
Court in recess
Court is in recess until 1:30 p.m. local time, NBC News reports.
This comes after the judge says “no way” a decision will be made on the Menendez brothers’ resentencing by the end of the hearings Friday.
Judge says resentencing not likely
A California judge says a decision on the Menendez brothers’ resentencing likely won’t come in the next two days.
While the hearings are expected to last through Friday, the judge doesn’t except to issue a decision until later.
The hearings will include testimony from witnesses called by both sides.
Today’s hearing is set to focus on the Menendez brothers’ claim of self-defense, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Thursday. The brothers have claimed they killed their parents in self-defense following years of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
Judge denies prosecution’s request to delay hearing
A Los Angeles judge denied District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s request to delay the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing in court Thursday.
In a filing late Wednesday, Hochman argued that state prison and parole officers should first complete their risk assessments on the brothers. Those assessments are ongoing and will be completed by June 13, California Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.
Public tickets handed out for resentencing hearing
A deputy handed out some 16 tickets to members of the public outside the Los Angeles courthouse who wanted to view the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing, according to NBC News.
There are 16 seats available, some of which are standby seats. The tickets were handed out via a lottery system, the outlet reports.
Source: independent.co.uk
