- Erik and Lyle Menendez are eligible for parole based on a new judge’s ruling
- The brothers were sentenced to life in 1996 for the murders of their parents
- They committed the crimes in 1989 but have now been resentenced
The day they were hoping for came, as the Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, are eligible for parole. A Los Angeles judge has reduced the life sentence the brothers were serving. In 1989, the brothers murdered their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996.
Read more: What is the Story of the Menendez Brothers case?
Judge Michael Jesic sentenced the brothers to 50 years to life. The decision is controversial given the crime. The California state board will make a decision based on their possible release in the next month. California district attorney Nathan Hochman has been openly against the brother’s release and resentencing. However, a hearing in April decided that the resentencing hearings could continue.
Their family has avidly campaigned for their release.
In their original trial, the brothers claimed they killed their parents because they were subjected to alleged sexual abuse, mainly from their brother. The reason was self-defense, according to them.
But what could the resentencing mean?
Could the Menendez brothers be released?
On 13 May, the judge resentenced them, and the brothers spoke to the court.
After the judge allowed this, the Menendez brothers detailed the brutality of the crime and reflected upon it.
“I had to stop being selfish and immature to really understand what my parents went through in those last moments,” Erik Menendez, now 54, said to the court.
However, he also reflected on how his parents would be surprised and upset over seeing their sons holding guns in their hands.
After the statement, both brothers apologized, expressing a desire to work with sexual abuse victims and incarcerated people if they are paroled.
On the other hand, Lyle’s focus was on the impact on his family, as he said he brought them into a place of “public humiliation”.
Hochman even said the decision was “monumental” for the brothers and their families.
What are they doing now?
The BBC report says much of the hearing focused on the brothers’ activities in prison since their 30-year stay there. At this point, they spoke about their educational endeavours and the inner work they have done to help other inmates.
Based on this, Judge Jesic declared the work of the Menendez brothers to be “remarkable”. However, he noted that their sentences in 1996 were fair, but they now meet parole guidelines.
Happy family members of the brothers were outside the court, as were their lawyers.
Anamaria Baralt, one of the brothers’ cousins, said she will “eagerly step through those doors if it means we can have them home”.
Other family members spoke in court supporting the brothers, pleading with the judge to allow them home.
Prosecutors argued that the brothers lied to their family and law enforcement after the crimes. They also said in a brutal murder case, it is important to make sure they are “truly rehabilitated”.
Now the brothers will face the California parole board. However, the brothers have requested California Governor Gavin Newsom for clemency. Here, a risk assessment will be conducted to weigh up their risk of reoffending and violence if released.
They will have a hearing with the parole board on 13 June.
