Menendez Brothers’ Cousin Begs Judge for Mercy in Resentencing Hearing

The Menendez Brothers‘ day in courtroom has arrived … the convicted killers are attending a resentencing listening to Tuesday, and attorneys on each side are making their circumstances with full-throated assist from Erik and Lyle‘s members of the family within the courtroom.

Tamara Lucero Goodell is the brothers’ cousin as soon as eliminated — she’s the good niece of Erik and Lyle’s deceased mom, Kitty — and he or she took the stand within the Van Nuys, L.A. courtroom first. She talked in regards to the shotgun murders of the brothers’ mother and father in 1989 … which occurred simply three weeks earlier than her ninth birthday.

Tamara testified she has no issues in regards to the brothers committing any crimes in the event that they’re launched from jail. She stated she wasn’t conscious of any alleged abuse from Kitty or Jose — an alleged element the brothers are trying to leverage for his or her freedom. She recalled as soon as seeing Jose grabbing the again of Erik’s neck throughout a tennis match.

Diane Hernandez, one other of Kitty’s nieces, additionally took the stand Tuesday … she had testified of their unique trial within the ’90s, saying on the time that Lyle had instructed her about his father’s alleged abuse … and he or she stated Kitty did not consider her when she instructed her about it.

Diane additionally stated she did not assume the brothers would ever commit additional crimes if launched. She even welcomed them to return reside together with her … saying it might be “therapeutic” in the event that they went free. Hernandez immediately appealed to the decide, saying “be merciful.” She stated it might be a “miracle” if the brothers may get a final go to together with her mom Joan.

Lyle and Erik attended immediately’s courtroom proceedings through Zoom. They had been visibly affected by emotion when Diane spoke. They’ve been serving time since 1996, after they had been discovered responsible of their second trial of killing their mother and father … they usually had been sentenced to life in jail with out parole.

L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman opposes their launch, even their resentencing — the method was kick-started by his predecessor, George Gascon, final 12 months.

As we reported, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered a danger evaluation report on the brothers to find out whether or not they’re nonetheless a hazard to society in the event that they’re launched. Newsom will resolve in June on granting them clemency.

A household cousin, Anamaria Baralt, spoke to reporters on her manner into the listening to this morning, thanking supporters.