A Los Angeles judge has made a stunning shift in the Menéndez brothers' case, ruling that new evidence, including testimony from former Menudo member Roy Roselló and one cousin, provides enough grounds to reconsider their murder convictions. This decision could ultimately lead to Erik and Lyle Menéndez winning their freedom through a habeas corpus appeal.

According to The New York Post, in May 2023, Erik and Lyle Menéndez filed a writ of habeas corpus, claiming previously hidden and crucial evidence had surfaced regarding the sexual abuse they allegedly suffered at the hands of their father, José Menéndez.

This new evidence includes a letter Erik wrote to his cousin months before the murders and Roselló's testimony, in which he accused José Menéndez of drugging and sexually assaulting him when he was a minor.

Roselló's testimony is not just a personal revelation; it serves as key corroborating evidence. According to the brothers' legal petition, his account "strongly demonstrates that José Menéndez was extremely violent and sexually abused children... suggesting that he was abusing Erik as late as December 1988." In a 2023 documentary, Roselló said his voice could bridge the gap between past evidence ignored by the courts and current demands for justice.

On May 13, 2025, Judge Michael Jesic agreed to hear the appeal and also reduced the brothers' sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under the Youthful Offenders Act. Jesic acknowledged that, despite the brutality of the crime, both Erik and Lyle have shown significant rehabilitation during more than three decades in prison.

However, newly appointed Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has opposed both the habeas corpus appeal and any new trial. He argued that the letter and Roselló's testimony do not justify reopening the case, insisting that the brothers' actions were inexcusable and that they have not demonstrated sufficient remorse.

What Happens Next?

  • Habeas Corpus: If strengthened by Roselló's testimony and additional evidence, the appeal could overturn the original conviction and lead to a new trial.
  • Parole: The brothers are now eligible for parole, with a hearing scheduled for June 13, 2025, after a risk assessment and review of their more than 35 years in prison.
  • Clemency: Erik and Lyle have also requested clemency from Cali

Originally published on Latin Times