Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has faced criticism for his handling of the case involving the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents. Gascon announced that he would recommend resentencing the brothers based on new evidence, which includes allegations of sexual abuse by their father. However, an attorney for the brothers’ uncle, Milton Andersen, claims that Gascon has ignored credibility issues related to the new evidence and has not informed Andersen of any decisions made by the DA’s office.
Gascon’s recommendation for resentencing would result in the brothers being eligible for parole after serving 50 years to life in prison. Gascon believes that the brothers have paid their debt to society after nearly 35 years in prison and should have the opportunity for parole. The brothers shot their parents multiple times in their Beverly Hills mansion and were originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole following a mistrial.
Critics of Gascon, including former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman, have accused him of making the resentencing recommendation as a political move. Gascon received the brothers’ petition for resentencing months before his announcement, prompting accusations that he waited until days before an election in which he was trailing in the polls to release his recommendation. Hochman and others believe that Gascon’s decision was a last-ditch effort to salvage his political career, rather than being grounded in truth and law.
Attorney Kathleen Cady, representing Milton Andersen, has called out Gascon for failing to uphold his ethical responsibilities in the case. Cady claims that Gascon has ignored requests to address credibility issues with the new evidence and has not kept Andersen informed of any decisions made by the DA’s office. She believes that Gascon’s actions are a disservice to the victims of the crime, including Andersen, and that they deserve better treatment than being used as pawns in a political game.
Joan VanderMolen, niece of Kitty Menendez, has expressed support for Gascon’s recommendation, calling it a brave and compassionate step that focuses on justice and healing. She believes that the resentencing acknowledges the abuse that the brothers endured and is a step towards truth and justice in the case. Gascon’s decision to recommend resentencing will need to be approved by a judge before it can be implemented.
Gascon’s announcement to recommend resentencing for the Menendez brothers has stirred controversy and criticism from various parties involved in the case. While some see it as a step towards justice and healing for the brothers, others view it as a political move by Gascon to boost his re-election campaign. The unresolved issues related to the credibility of the new evidence and Gascon’s failure to communicate with key stakeholders in the case have added complexity and uncertainty to the situation.
