What to know as Menendez brothers’ life sentences are revisited by judge

Erik and Lyle Menendez are expected to appear virtually in a Los Angeles courtroom for a two-day hearing that will examine whether they should be freed.

Erik and Lyle Menendez appeared virtually in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday for a hearing that was expected to examine a hotly contested question: Should the brothers, who are serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole for the shotgun murders of their parents in 1989, be free?

Instead, the proceedings were delayed after prosecutors asked the judge late Wednesday to review an inquiry into the potential dangers the brothers may pose if released — and the defense said they would seek to have the district attorney’s office thrown off the case.

A new hearing was set for May 9 to examine a forthcoming recusal motion and the “comprehensive risk assessments” cited by prosecutors. The assessments were conducted by parole and prison officials who were tasked by California Gov. Gavin Newsom with investigating the brothers’ clemency request.

A resentencing hearing previously scheduled for Friday was canceled, and no new date was set for the matter.

“The family does not want to go this through this charade anymore with the DA,” defense attorney Mark Geragos told reporters outside the courtroom.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/menendez-brothers-resentence-hearing-what-know-rcna201623

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