The Menendez brothers' bid for a shorter sentence and possible release is delayed again

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Erik and Lyle Menendez's bid for shorter sentences and a shot at freedom has again been delayed due to disputes among prosecutors and the brothers' lawyers.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic on Thursday set a new hearing for May 9 to tackle two issues in the brothers' resentencing case: whether material from risk assessments completed by the state parole board at the governor's order can be used in court, and whether the Los Angeles County district attorney should be removed as prosecutor in the case. The resentencing hearings will be on pause until those issues are resolved next month.

The brothers were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their entertainment executive father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The brothers were 18 and 21 at the time of the killings. Defense attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father. Prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

The case has captured the public’s attention for decades, and the Netflix drama “ Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story ” and a subsequent documentary brought new attention. Reporters from dozens of media outlets crowded outside the courthouse Thursday and vied for space inside.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's office notified the district attorney's office and the court earlier this week that part of the risk assessment he recently ordered had been completed. Prosecutors filed a motion late Wednesday to delay the resentencing hearings so the court could obtain those reports and consider them in its decision.

There was confusion in the courtroom Thursday over exactly what those reports contained and if they could be used.

“We believed it constituted additional facts that the court should consider in deciding whether or not the Menendez brothers do pose a risk of danger to society,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said outside court.

The resentencing hearings, which were supposed to take place Thursday and Friday, center on whether the brothers have been rehabilitated in prison and deserve a lesser sentence that could make them eligible for release.

Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón had requested their sentences be reduced to 50 years with the possibility of parole. But their defense attorney, Mark Geragos, said Thursday he'll ask the judge to reduce their charges to manslaughter, allowing them to be immediately released.

The brothers’ hearing has been delayed several times. An initial hearing scheduled for January was postponed due to the LA fires and prosecutors’ attempt to withdraw their sentencing request.

Neither the judge nor the brothers' attorneys had seen the parole board report that spurred heated arguments in the packed courtroom on Thursday.

“I need clarification from the governor's office,” Jesic said. “This is stupid.”

Prosecutors, who had seen the report intended for a separate June 13 parole board hearing, argued they should be able to use it. Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian said the report was relevant and necessary.

“If there is a report out there assessing the risk of violence, how do we not use it?" Habib said.

The governor’s office confirmed that part of the risk assessment was shared with relevant parties for review 60 days before the June clemency hearing, per California law. They also notified the judge of the status of the report and offered to share it if requested, but said it was not a stand-alone risk assessment.

The brothers watched the proceedings via video from a correctional facility near San Diego, and could be seen in their blue prison garb on a screen in the courtroom. They showed no obvious reaction to the arguments.

Geragos angrily denounced Hochman for discussing the parole board report during a morning news conference and said he’ll file a motion to remove Hochman from the case. Hochman was elected in November 2024 and does not support resentencing.

Hochman last month reversed his office's support for the brothers' resentencing, saying they have not admitted to lies told during their trial about why they killed their parents, or that they asked their friends to lie for them in court. Hochman’s office has also said it does not believe that the brothers were sexually abused by their father and that by speaking about their childhood abuse, they have not taken complete responsibility for the crime.

The extended Menendez family, with the exception of an uncle who died last month, has said they fully forgive the brothers for what they did and want them to be freed. The brothers’ attorneys say their clients have worked hard over the decades to better themselves and give back to the prison community.

Menendez cousin Tamara Goodell filed a complaint in March alleging Hochman had violated her rights as a victim under California law and was “hostile, dismissive and patronizing” during a meeting with the family.

“I don't feel safe with him,” Goodell said after Thursday's hearing.

Then, prosecutors showed a gruesome photo of the 1989 crime scene during a hearing last Friday without warning.

“That's not dignity,” said Bryan Freedman, who is representing Menendez relatives. “That's disrespect. That's harassment.”

Balian apologized for the lack of a warning, but added, “Erik and Lyle Menendez caused that carnage, not me.”

Attorney Mark Geragos, right, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their parents, speaks to the media outside of court after a resentencing hearing in their case, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, bottom center, speaks to the media as he arrives for a hearing in their case, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Family members and supporters of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their parents, leave court after a resentencing hearing in the Menendez case, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Anerae Brown, left, speaks to the media next to other supporters of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their parents, after a resentencing hearing in their case, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their parents, speaks to the media outside of court after a resentencing hearing in their case, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos, center, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their parents, speaks to the media outside of court after a resentencing hearing in their case, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks outside of the courthouse during a hearing in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks outside of court before a hearing in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A supporter holds a sign outside of court before a hearing in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks outside of court before a hearing in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks to the media as he arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Family members and supporters of Erik and Lyle Menendez arrive in court for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Anamaria Baralt, center, and other family members of Erik and Lyle Menendez arrive in court for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks to the media as he arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

FILE - This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. (California Department of Corrections via AP, File)

Anamaria Baralt, cousin of Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks after a hearing in the brothers' case Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Attorney Mark Geragos speaks after a hearing regarding the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

President Donald Trump President Donald Trump wraps up a Mideast tour in the United Arab Emirates with a breakfast for business leaders and a visit to an interfaith place of worship named for the Abraham Accords he negotiated.

As part of the accords, the UAE and some other countries in the Middle East recognized Israel. Trump departs Abu Dhabi after his visit to the Abrahamic Family House .

During his visit to the region, violence flared in the West Bank, and Gaza. Israeli strikes killed at least 20 people Friday, adding to the more than 120 people who died in recent days.

Here's the latest:

President Donald Trump is kicking off the final day of his Middle East trip with a meeting of U.S. and UAE business executives alongside UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Energy, healthcare, aviation, entertainment and other business leaders will be in attendance to highlight ties between the two countries -- a central focus of Trump’s trip to the region. Trump will then tour the Abrahamic Family House, a complex that houses a church, mosque and synagogue and is a symbol of interfaith tolerance. Trump has encouraged other countries in the region to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel, as the UAE did in 2020. The president will then depart back to Washington.

Israeli strikes killed at least 20 people in Gaza on Friday morning, as U.S. President Donald Trump wraps up his Middle East visit.

An Associated Press journalist counted the bodies at the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, where they were brought. Survivors said many people were still under the rubble.

The widespread attacks across northern Gaza come as Trump finishes his visit to Gulf states but not Israel.

There had been widespread hope that Trump’s regional visit could usher in a ceasefire deal or renewal of humanitarian aid to Gaza. An Israeli blockade of the territory is now in its third month.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes.

President Donald Trump will make several stops before taking off on Air Force One to end his Mideast trip on Friday.

He’ll attend a business summit in the morning in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Trump later will visit the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. It is home to a mosque, a church and a synagogue. The UAE built it after diplomatically recognizing Israel in an agreement known as the Abraham Accords, as Christianity, Islam and Judaism are all known as the Abrahamic faiths.

Etihad Airways announced Friday it would purchase 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft during a visit by President Donald Trump to the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad is the government-owned airline of Abu Dhabi that also flies East-West routes like Emirates, the long-haul carrier in neighboring Dubai.

Etihad said in a statement that the sale included “a mix of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, powered by GE engines and supported by a services package.”

Boeing did not immediately acknowledge the deal.

Trump was due to address a business conference in Abu Dhabi on Friday, the last day of his Mideast trip that’s also taken him to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which booked a major Boeing order for its long-haul carrier, Qatar Airways.

President Donald Trump and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan talk at Qasr Al Watan, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrive at Qasr Al Watan, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and Sheikh Khaled Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, right, tour the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)