Who is Judge William Ryan? Menendez brothers’ freedom rests with this man

Although Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón approved the recommendation for resentencing Lyle and Erik Menendez, they still face another significant hurdle: Judge William Ryan’s decision.

“[Judge] Ryan needs to decide if the brothers pose an unreasonable risk to the public,” former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Newsweek. “If they do, then he can reject the request.”

Gascón announced plans to recommend the Menendez brothers’ life sentences without the possibility of parole be replaced with a 50-years-to-life sentence for murder. He said, due to their ages at the time of the crimes, they would be eligible for parole immediately.

“The reason they can get out in only 35 years is under California law, they were under 26 at the time of the murders,” Rahmani said. “They’re considered youthful offenders, and youthful offenders are eligible for parole after 25 years. So, that’s why they’re immediately eligible for parole.”

A district attorney’s recommendation is a critical aspect of the criminal justice process, providing guidance on how specific cases should be managed. This can encompass various elements, including sentencing proposals, plea deals and the charges to be filed against a suspect.

In terms of sentencing, a district attorney may suggest particular lengths of imprisonment or conditions, such as parole eligibility. They also play a role in negotiating plea bargains, where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence.

The fate of the brothers now rests with Ryan, who can choose to uphold, reject or modify the recommendation for resentencing.

Rahmani explained the steps following the resentencing recommendation to Newsweek, detailing how Ryan is likely to proceed.

“Modification is probably less likely under the circumstances. It would be more likely Ryan would modify it if Gascón recommended time served as opposed to arraignment which ended up happening.”

If he accepts the recommendation, the key question becomes whether the parole board will grant parole to the brothers. The former prosecutor said the board is currently approving just over 30 percent of parole applications but he wouldn’t be surprised if the board recommends a release.

“He’s a middle of the road judge,” Rahmani said. “There’s a lot of sympathy for these brothers, and he’s been on the bench for a while. He’s really not going to care about making a difficult decision.”

Newsweek reached out to Ryan, however, he has not yet responded.

Rahmani said even if the recommendation makes it past Judge Ryan and the parole board, the final step is governor Gavin Newsom.

“Gavin Newsom can reject the request, so they basically have three hurdles – they have to clear Judge Ryan, the parole board, then Newsom.”

Newsweek reached out to Newsom, however, he has not yet responded.

Who is Judge William Ryan?

Ryan is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the court in February 1994.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany and later obtained his J.D. from Southwestern Law School in 1986.

Before his judicial career, Judge Ryan managed an auto-parts store in New York and practiced law at the Los Angeles firm Sidley Austin, focusing on business and commercial litigation.

In recent years, Judge Ryan has been involved in significant cases addressing issues of innocence and sentencing. In 2022, he overturned the conviction of Maurice Hastings, who had been wrongfully imprisoned for 38 years.

Hastings is a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1983. DNA evidence identified a different suspect, leading to the overturning of Hastings’ conviction. He was declared “factually innocent,” and his case became a notable example of the impact of DNA testing in exonerating individuals wrongfully convicted of serious crimes.

Hastings has since spoken out about the flaws in the justice system and advocated for criminal justice reform to prevent future wrongful convictions.

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