California judge rejects Menendez brothers’ request for new trial

Claims that brothers were sexually abused didn't supersede premeditation and deliberation' of killings, says judge

A California judge has rejected a request for a new trial for Erik and Lyle Menendez, saying the allegations that the brothers were sexually abused did not supersede their premeditation and deliberation" when they killed their parents more than 35 years ago.

The ruling Monday by Los Angeles superior court judge William C Ryan comes just weeks after the brothers were denied parole and shuts down another possible path to freedom for the two who have served nearly 30 years in prison. Ryan denied a May 2023 petition seeking a review of their convictions based on new evidence supporting their claims of sexual abuse by their father.