The groundbreaking and challenging decision to resentence the Menendez brothers to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole was something that one expert in their first trial did not see coming. Dr. Ann Burgess is a psychiatric nurse and forensic expert who testified on behalf of the brothers.
She interviewed the Menendez brothers for more than 50 hours inside the LA County jail in the 90s. Burgess also told ABC 10 News that she always believed they were sexually abused. Erik and Lyle were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Menendez Brothers: Dr. Ann Burgess Shares
Dr. Ann Burgess quoted, “Usually in a case like this, where it is domestic, it’s got to be issues with the family.” Dr. Burgess continued, “I said something is wrong in that family”. She had pushed for a Manslaughter charge. Since the jury could not reach a verdict, in the second trial, the issue of abuse was not allowed.
Dr. Burgess thought it was never fair that they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents. “I’ve always felt, in many cases, you know, even in the worst of worst cases, serial killer or whatever, to give them a chance at parole is important,” Dr. Burgess said.
The Menendez Brothers Interview
Dr. Ann Burgess quoted, “They necessarily won’t get it, but it doesn’t take away hope. I think when we take away hope, that’s unfair.” In an interview, ABC 10 news asked, “Did you ever think you’d be having a conversation about the brothers being resentenced?”
She said, “No, no, I didn’t because it would seem so unlikely,” she replied. “I certainly never thought that they would ever have a chance. But, as I listened, I think it’s very fair. It’s very fair what they have done with this.” Burgess also stated, “I hope they consider parole. I think it would be fair.”
She stated, “It’s been a long time, and I know how they felt. As I said, Erik was—he said seconds went by after this happened, and they felt that it was. He just regretted it. It felt so bad, and they have to live with it.” Dr. Ann Burgess said she was pleasantly surprised when they received their new sentence.
Final Thoughts
The Menendez Brothers haven’t had hope for the last 35 years behind bars. However, that did change on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, when Judge Michael Jesic decided to resentence them to 50 years to life, with the possibility of parole.
There is no guarantee that the parole board will grant the Menendez Brothers release, especially after they were dubbed a “moderate risk” in their recent risk assessment. As for where they will live with it, the answer will become clearer on June 13, 2025, when the parole board is expected to submit its clemency recommendation to the governor, Gavin Newsom.
