DA to recommend resentencing for Menendez brothers – National & International News – THU 24Oct2024

DA to recommend resentencing for Menendez brothers 

Middle East updates: Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran

NATIONAL NEWS

DA to recommend resentencing for Menendez brothers 

Los Angeles District Attorney Georgia Gascon announced that he would be recommending that brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez should be resentence and released from prison on parole. The Menendez brothers were sentenced to life without parole in 1995 for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty.

Click here for a recent overview of the case. 

In his announcement, Gascon said that he believed “the brothers were subject to a tremendous amount of dysfunction in their home and molestation”. While this does not excuse the murders of their parents, Gascon said “I believe they have paid their debt to society”. 

Gascon’s recommendation is not the final word in the case and there is still a long process ahead to determine whether or not the brothers will be released. A judge will hold a hearing to hear arguments for and against Gascon’s recommendation. Gascon noted that his decision to recommend resentencing was highly divisive, even within his own office. Some of his own staff may even argue against him at the hearing. 

If the judge approves Gascon’s request, the state parole board will then review the case and decide whether the brothers have been sufficiently rehabilitated. If the parole board approves their release, California Gov. Gavin Newsom can either follow or reject the recommendation.

Emotionally and politically-charged case

The highly controversial case has received renewed public attention in the past year due to a recent documentary on the murders as well as a Netflix dramatization about the case. Last year, the brothers’ attorneys submitted a writ of habeas corpus pleading for their clients’ life sentences to be reconsidered. 

In their brief, the attorneys presented new evidence of the abuse the brothers suffered at the hands of their father, Jose. This included a letter written by one of the brothers to a now-deceased cousin long before the murders took place. In the letter, Erik wrote “every night I stay up thinking he might come in,” referring to his father. 

While several relatives of the Menendez brothers have called for them to be freed, Milton Anderson, the brother of Kitty Menendez, has long opposed their release. Anderson has accused Gascon of “playing politics” with a case that is currently in the public eye. Gascon is just days ahead of a re-election bid, and some polls have him 30 points behind.

Click here for the full story (opens in new tab).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Middle East update: Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran

There’s a lot to keep track of in Israel’s ongoing military campaigns against Gaza and Lebanon, as well as recent (likely futile) efforts by the US to restart peace talks after the recent assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Here are some recent events and developments that those trying to keep track of the situation should be aware of. 

Gaza

Israel’s siege of Northern Gaza continues, with bombings of schools, hospitals, and refugee camps. It appears Israel is intent on pursuing what has become known as “The Generals’ Plan“, which calls for an outright ethnic cleansing of Northern Gaza, through bombing, forced starvation and generally “making life impossible,” as the UN put it.

The US has warned Israel that some weapons shipments could be stopped if Israel does not allow food aid into Northern Gaza. It is a violation of US law to supply weapons to any country which is obstructing US humanitarian aid. Israel claims to be allowing more food trucks in. Despite these assurances, the UN says there is still no food aid entering Northern Gaza.

Former Israeli National Security advisor says IDF soldiers should refuse orders that may lead to war crimes in Gaza.

Lebanon

Israel’s aggressive bombing campaign in Lebanon continues. Recently, Israel has bombed Rafik Hariri hospital, killing 18 civilians, four of them children. Another hospital, Sahel Hospital in Southern Lebanon, evacuated after Israel claimed the hospital was hiding “millions in Hezbollah gold” and a bunker used by Hezbollah.  Journalists examined every part of Sahel Hospital and found no bunker and no Hezbollah assets. It is reminiscent of Israel’s previous baseless claims about he “Hamas command center” under Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Even after the IDF reduced Al-Shifa to ruins, no evidence of any such “command center” was found. 

Israel bombed several banks in Lebanon.  While Israel claims this was an attack on Hezbollah’s financing, the greatest hit will be to Lebanon’s economy, which is already in the grip of a years-long financial crisis.

Israel bombed the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Tyre.

Lebanese medics say Israel is targeting them.

Diplomatic front: Israel/US/Iran

Classified US assessment of Israel’s plans to strike Iran leaked.

Blinken in Doha in attempt to restart Gaza ceasefire talks.

Gulf Arab states engaging more with rival Iran as US fails to rein Israel in.