() In a matter of days, the Menendez brothers are set to make their case for parole.
The parole board meetings are the closest Erik and Lyle Menendez have been to winning their freedom from prison since their convictions almost 30 years ago for murdering their parents.
The brothers became eligible for parole a few months ago after a judge reduced their sentences from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life.
Mark Geragos, the brothers’ attorney, joined “CUOMO” on Tuesday and says that both brothers are expected to answer a lot of questions.
“I think on Thursday, what you will see with Erik is a lot of discussion about the programs that he’s instituted. Not the least of which is the hospice program, which he pioneered in California,” he said.
“I think when you get to Lyle on Friday, you’re going to hear about the green space program. This is a back-and-forth.”
Geragos added that since there will be a pool reporter at the hearings, people will be able to follow along with the brothers’ answers.
There will also be the presence of a different district attorney each day. Geragos notes the DAs won’t directly ask questions, but can funnel them through to the parole board if they want.
“It’s a very interactive experience,” he says. “It’s very robust. And something people don’t realize, the parole board members that day will retire, deliberate and make a decision each day.”
Asked if there’s a chance only one brother could be released, Geragos acknowledged it’s theoretically possible.
However, practically and on the merits, it shouldn’t happen.
“They are being judged separately. They each are fascinating, intriguing and deserving of getting parole. They both should be out,” he said.
