Juror calls resentencing of Menendez brothers 'the right thing'

A juror who served during Eric And Lyle Menendez The original murder trial impacted the Los Angeles district attorney's decision to seek resentencing of the brothers.

George Gascon announced the recommendation to reduce their sentences on Thursday, October 24, following renewed interest in the case.

Speaking to Australia's Kyle & Jackie O Show on the same day of the announcement: Hazel ThorntonJuror No. 9 in the Menendez brothers' first murder trial said she supported the resentencing.

“I think it's a wonderful step in the right direction and it's a long time coming,” Thornton told the radio show, but said she doesn't support a new trial. “I think a new trial would be terrible. I think upsetting her is the right thing to do.”

She continued: “Of course we still have to wait and see what the judge is going to do, and there's no telling what the judge is going to do. But I think it’s wonderful that the prosecutor is recommending a resentencing.”

The Menéndez brothers' case came back into the spotlight after the release of the Netflix limited series Monster and documentary film The Menéndez brothers. Erik, now 53, and Lyle, now 56, were convicted of murdering their parents. Jose And Kittyat their home in Beverly Hills, California, in 1989, when the brothers were 18 and 21, respectively. In 1996 they were finally sentenced to life in prison without parole.

During Thursday's press conference, Gascón said a new hearing had been scheduled because of new evidence that José allegedly abused his sons.

In her interview with the radio show, Thornton also expressed her views on the brothers and revealed that she had occasionally spoken to them on the phone.

“People ask me; Would I mind if they moved in next door? And I say: Sure, why not? Society is not in danger if they get out,” Thorton said.

“You probably won't believe it, but they are very polite. They are very nice. They are very smart. You have a sense of humor. And one of the reasons Gascón recommended resentencing is because they led exemplary lives in prison.”

She continued: “Even though they never had any hope of getting out themselves, they helped rehabilitate fellow inmates so they could get out.” And they did all sorts of (other) things. They have further educated themselves. They participated in and initiated prison reform projects, and essentially they grew up and matured in prison.”

Thorton added that she had only seen excerpts of the Netflix series and refused to watch it in its entirety due to concerns about its accuracy.

“I think it wasn't correct and in fact I didn't see it. I boycott it,” she said. “I saw people sending me clips. I've seen many, many scenes that don't portray Lyle and Erik as I know them. But that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of truth in the series. It just means I don’t have nine hours to devote to fiction.”