The Los Angeles County Superior Court has surprised by announcing a public lottery to allocate the 16 available seats to attend the long-awaited hearing of the trial of the Menéndez brothers. Three decades after the crime that shook the United States, this case continues to arouse enormous media and social interest. Partly thanks to the success of the series Monsters: The story of the Menéndezwhich features the participation of Javier Bardeminterest in this story has been revived, presenting a new perspective on the brothers and their tragic family past.
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© NetflixThis type of raffle, which is unusual, has already been implemented in other trials with great media impact, such as the OJ Simpson case or the civil proceedings related to the death of Michael Jackson. Now, the case of Lyle and Erik Menendezwill be the next trial most followed by public opinion.
© Getty ImagesThe media hype about the case coincided with a change in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office: outgoing prosecutor George Gascón had supported the possibility of a resentencing for the Menéndezes, but his successor, Nathan Hochman, who will take office on December 3, December, has promised to review the case before making any decision.
© Getty ImagesIn addition, a key hearing is scheduled for December 11, where the brothers’ sentence could be reconsidered to include the possibility of parole.
© Getty ImagesThe draw to attend the trial
The dynamics of the draw are designed to guarantee fair access in a trial with high media interest and limited capacity. Between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25, those interested will be able to register in front of the Van Nuys courthouse. At 9:30 the winners will be announced, who will receive non-transferable identification that they must carry throughout the session, scheduled at 10:30.
© Getty ImagesIn addition to the 16 main seats, two reserve tickets will be assigned, although their use will depend on the availability of space in the room. This same system, already used in cases of great importance, has put the focus once again on the situation of the best-known brothers in the world. true crime.
© Getty ImagesA new look at the case that marked a generation
On August 20, 1989, José and Kitty Menéndez were murdered in their Beverly Hills residence. His sons, Lyle and Erik, admitted to committing the murders, but claimed they acted in self-defense after years of physical, psychological and sexual abuse by their father. However, the prosecution argued that the crime was motivated by greed, as the brothers could have sought to secure their inheritance of almost 14 million dollars.
© Getty ImagesIn 1996, both were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a decision that their advocates have since attempted to reverse. Monday’s hearing will seek to review new evidence that his lawyers say shows that allegations of abuse were understated or ignored during the second trial.