Juror from Menendez Brothers’ Trial Reflects on Case, Calls for Resentencing

In a recent interview with NewsNation’s Banfield, Hazel Thornton, a juror from the first Menendez brothers’ trial, reflected on the dynamics of the case and the potential for a different outcome if tried today. Thornton described the original trial’s verdict as a classic battle of the sexes, noting that many male jurors did not believe the brothers’ claims of sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez. Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of killing their parents in 1989, but they argued they acted out of fear due to years of abuse by their father, a prominent Hollywood executive.

Thornton suggested that if the brothers were retried today, the outcome might be different, as society’s understanding of sexual abuse has evolved. She expressed hope that rather than a new trial, the brothers would be resentenced, considering the costs and emotional toll of a retrial.

On Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that prosecutors are reviewing new evidence in the case, which could lead to resentencing. Attorneys for the brothers have filed a habeas petition to vacate their 1996 convictions, partly inspired by renewed public interest following the release of *Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix. They argue that societal shifts in attitudes towards sexual abuse might have influenced a different verdict if the trial were held today.

Thornton, however, remains skeptical about such media portrayals, noting she has no intention of watching the Netflix series, as she believes it misrepresents the truth as she experienced it during the trial. Attorneys for the Menendez brothers hope they will be resentenced to time served and released.

Leave a Comment