Menendez Brothers’ Cousin Begs Decide for Mercy in Resentencing Listening to

The Menendez Brothers‘ day in court docket has arrived … the convicted killers are attending a resentencing listening to Tuesday, and attorneys on either side are making their circumstances with full-throated help 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 she or he took the stand within the Van Nuys, L.A. courtroom first. She talked concerning the shotgun murders of the brothers’ dad and mom in 1989 … which occurred simply three weeks earlier than her ninth birthday.

Tamara testified she has no issues concerning the brothers committing any crimes in the event that they’re launched from jail. She mentioned she wasn’t conscious of any alleged abuse from Kitty or Jose — an alleged element the brothers try 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 she or he mentioned Kitty did not consider her when she instructed her about it.

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

Lyle and Erik attended right this moment’s courtroom proceedings by way of Zoom. They had been visibly affected by emotion when Diane spoke. They have been serving time since 1996, once they had been discovered responsible of their second trial of killing their dad and mom … they usually had been sentenced to life in jail with out parole.

L.A. County District Lawyer 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 risk assessment 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 method into the listening to this morning, thanking supporters.