Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board Member Russell Stuart was criticized during the public comment period of the board’s Feb. 25 meeting for a social media post he made on Feb. 24. The post contained the BHUSD logo alongside the words “DOGE,” a reference to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The post has since been deleted, and the Courier has chosen not to reprint it.
DOGE was established via executive order by President Donald Trump. When announcing the creation of the office, led by Elon Musk, Trump indicated that it would “provide advice and guidance from outside of government,” with a stated goal of streamlining government and bringing savings to taxpayers.
At the Feb 25 board meeting, community member Romi Azevedo expressed concern about the manner in which the Bregy prejudice, carefully adhering to California law with modern understanding of trauma.”
Resentencing would also examine if the brothers have been rehabilitated while incarcerated. Attorneys and relatives have claimed that Erik and Lyle have, among other things, mentored other prisoners and attended college classes while incarcerated.
The fate of the Menendez brothers took a political turn during the last election, in which Hochman handily unseated his predecessor, George Gascón. Hochman accused Gascón of being politically motivated when publicly weighing the decision to file the motion for resentencing.
Sacramento politicians are also involved in the case, as Gov. Newsom contemplates the clemency application. Newsom’s office announced on Feb. 26 that he has directed the state parole board to make a “risk assessment investigation” before he rules on the brothers’ application for clemency. In videotaped remarks, Newsom said, “The question for the board is a simple one—do Erik and Lyle Menendez pose what we call unreasonable risk to public safety,’’ and said the assessment would be shared with the DA’s office, defense attorney and court ruling on the case.
Previously, Newsom said he would defer to Hochman’s review and analysis of the Menendez case prior to making any clemency decisions.
If Newsom approves the application for clemency, the parole board has up to six months to review the case. If clemency is approved, the decision would go to Newsom, who then could reverse or modify that recommendation.
On Feb. 27, a cousin of the Menendez brothers praised Newsom’s announcement.
“This is a pretty exciting time for us as the family of Erik and Lyle Menendez,’’ Anamaria Baralt said. She described it as “a positive step toward Erik and Lyle’s release.’’
She added, “We are incredibly grateful that Governor Newsom is paying attention to this case … For us, it is a huge sigh of relief that someone in a seat of power is paying attention to what we have seen up close since Erik and Lyle have been incarcerated. We have seen their rehabilitation. Erik and Lyle have changed countless lives since their conviction in 1996. Inmates have seen it, corrections officers have seen it and now we need the entire criminal justice system to see it.’’
