Menendez Brothers set to walk free as judge questions original conviction

A major legal shift in the long-running Menendez brothers‘ murder case suggests there is a strong chance their convictions could be thrown out, possibly leading to their release without needing a parole board hearing. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan has examined new evidence in the case and stated that if this information is proven true, it makes a very convincing argument for overturning the original convictions.

Two key pieces of new evidence are at the heart of this possible reversal. The first is a letter, said to have been written by Erik Menendez to his cousin, Andy Cano. This letter reportedly supports Cano’s past testimony claiming that Jose Menendez, the brothers’ father, had sexually abused Erik. This support is important because during the original murder trial, testimony about the alleged abuse was heavily restricted, which the defense has long argued unfairly hurt their case.

According to TMZ, if this letter is verified and accepted, it could be vital in backing up the defense’s argument that abuse was a motive for the killings before they were caught. The second piece of new evidence is a sworn statement from Roy Rossello, a former member of the music group Menudo. Rossello claims in his declaration that Jose Menendez raped him and forced him into sexual acts sometime in 1983 or 1984.

The Menendez brothers could see freedom soon

The defense is using the statement to directly contradict how the prosecution described Jose Menendez during the trial, where they argued he was “not the kind of man” who would abuse his children. Rossello’s account challenges the prosecution’s version of events and further supports the defense’s claim that the full scope of Jose Menendez’s alleged abusive behavior was never properly examined or allowed as evidence in the original trial.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos has officially submitted legal papers arguing that this newly discovered evidence, including Erik’s letter and Rossello’s statement, would have definitely changed the outcome of the original trial. Geragos says the convictions should be overturned because the jury did not have a full or accurate understanding of the case, especially regarding the brothers’ claims of abuse. After reviewing these arguments and the new evidence, Judge Ryan has agreed that the defense has made a strong enough case to cast doubt on the original verdict.

In response to these arguments, Judge Ryan has issued a formal order requiring the prosecution to “show cause” why the defense’s request to overturn the convictions should not be granted. This means the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office must now explain why the Menendez brothers’ convictions should stand despite the new evidence. The prosecution has 30 days to respond to the defense’s claims and the judge’s decision. This deadline puts pressure on the prosecution to counter the new evidence and the judge’s order quickly.

The consequences of this order are huge. If the prosecution does not successfully challenge the defense’s arguments within the 30-day window, Erik and Lyle Menendez’s murder convictions will be overturned. This would be life-changing for the brothers, as it could mean their release from prison without needing a parole hearing. The seriousness of Judge Ryan’s order and the urgency it creates for the prosecution cannot be overstated—if they fail to make a strong case, the original verdicts could be wiped out.

Judge Ryan’s current decision would make the upcoming parole hearing unnecessary. If the murder convictions are dismissed, the parole hearing would no longer have any purpose, since the brothers would no longer be serving time for those crimes.