Judge sets dates for Menendez brothers' resentencing hearings

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Resentencing hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez will move forward next week after a series of delays.

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. 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, while prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

LA County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic on Friday set the hearings for next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The hearing was supposed to be about the defense attorneys' request to remove the Los Angeles district attorney's office from the case, but defense attorneys withdrew their motion. Prosecutors, meanwhile, tried again to withdraw the resentencing petition set under the prior district attorney. Jesic rejected their efforts.

Here's what to know:

Next week, the judge will hear arguments on the crucial question: Have Erik and Lyle Menendez been rehabilitated during 30 years in prison?

The brothers’ attorneys say yes.

Since their conviction, the brothers have gotten an education, participated in self-help classes and started various support groups for their fellow inmates.

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. Their cousins have said the brothers worked hard over the decades to better themselves and give back to the prison community.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos said he plans to call seven family members to testify at the hearings.

If the brothers are resentenced, they could become immediately eligible for parole. The state parole board would ultimately rule on whether to release them from prison.

Former LA County District Attorney George Gascón had opened the door to possible freedom for the brothers in October by requesting their sentences be reduced to 50 years with the possibility of parole. His office said the case would've been handled differently today due to modern understandings of sexual abuse and trauma, and the brothers' rehabilitation during their 30 years in prison.

But current district attorney Nathan Hochman reversed course and opposed the brothers' resentencing.

He's argued the brothers have not taken full responsibility for their crimes because they have not admitted to lies told during their trials.

“They’re not ready” to be resentenced, Hochman told the judge Friday.

The state parole board made available last month the preliminary results of risk assessments for Erik and Lyle Menendez conducted by a forensic psychologist. While the reports have not been made public, Hochman cited them as the reason why he could not support resentencing.

According to Hochman, the reports said the brothers had recently broken prison rules by smuggling cellphones inside, which he argued demonstrated an inability to regulate their own behavior. It came to the conclusion that they were “moderately more likely” to engage in violence in the community, Hochman said.

But Jesic disagreed.

“I don’t see anything new,” he said. “He's (Erik Menendez) had cellphones throughout the time he's been in custody.”

Geragos had filed a motion to remove the case from Hochman's office, arguing that Hochman has a bias against the brothers. But he withdrew that motion Friday. Hochman has said he has done nothing wrong and simply disagrees with the defense attorneys and their arguments as to why the brothers should be resentenced.

The Menendez brothers are still waiting for the full results of a state parole board risk assessment ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom ’s office. The final hearing, scheduled for June 13, will influence whether Newsom grants the brothers clemency.

While parts of the risk assessment were disclosed in court Friday that could be unfavorable to the brothers’ case, Geragos emphasized they were only one component of the parole board's evaluation, not meant to be made public and could still change.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman walks out of the courthouse after a hearing in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Friday, May 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks after a hearing in their case at the courthouse Friday, May 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks outside of the courthouse after a hearing in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Friday, May 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Attorney Mark Geragos, a lawyer for Erik and Lyle Menendez, center right, kisses a family member of the brothers after a hearing in their case at the courthouse Friday, May 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Attorney Mark Geragos, a lawyer for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of killing their parents in 1989, speaks to reporters as he arrives to court Friday, May 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Anamaria Baralt, center, a cousin of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of killing their parents in 1989, arrives to court Friday, May 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?

Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.

Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.

“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”

Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.

By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.

Slot said Salah was a threat all game.

“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.

Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.

It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.

There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.

However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”

“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”

Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

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Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)