- The Menendez Brothers may be getting closer to freedom
- The pair were sentenced to life in prison in 1996
- Renewed interest in their case could lead to a big change
If you’re wondering whether the Menendez brothers hearing today will change the fate of these infamous siblings, then you’re not alone.
Ever since Netflix dropped Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennon’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, this infamous case has been back in the headlines.
Read more: Menendez brothers’ resentencing can go ahead, judge rules
Starring Cooper Koch as Erik and Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle, it told a dramatised version of a very real story. It also left the decision regarding the pair’s guilt in the eyes of viewers.
For those unaware, the pair were convicted of murdering their parents Jose and Mary Louise in 1996. After their first trial in 1994 ended in mistrial, the siblings were ultimately sentenced two years later.
Read more: Why Did Menendez Family File Complaint Against DA?
However, throughout it all, they insisted their actions were the result of years of alleged abuse at the hands of their parents. This ambiguity was used to interesting effect in Murphy and Brenan’s series, leading to a renewed interest in the pair’s case.
A judge ruled that a resentencing can go ahead earlier this month and now, Erik and Lyle are preparing to have their resentencing pleas heard by a judge.
So what does it mean for their future?
Will the Menendez brothers hearing lead to their early release?
After initially killing their parents in 1986, the siblings were sentenced to life without parole. At the time of their parents murders, Erik was 18 and Lyle was 21. They have been in prison ever since and are now 54 and 57.
Today’s resentencing hearing will re-evaluate the theory that the brothers acted in self-defence against years of alleged abuse. It will essentially help to decide whether Erik and Lyle can be charged with a lesser penalty and if that goes ahead, the path then opens up for them to become eligible for parole.
If they get that, then yes – the Mendendez brothers could potentially get an early release.
What will the resentencing hearing involve?
Unlike their first trials, today’s resentencing hearing doesn’t look at guilt. It is widely agreed that the pair did murder their parents in the eyes of the law.
Instead, a judge will look at what Erik and Lyle’s behavior has been like whilst in prison. The duo have spent more than three decades locked up.
The Menendez brothers’ lawyers will go up against the District Attorney’s office and both will be able to call people to testify. It’s possible that Erik or Lyle could testify but that is not clear just yet.
The rehearing is scheduled to take place on Thursday 17 April and could potentially continue into Friday 18 April. After this time, the judge will make a decision regarding the brothers future.
