A Los Angeles judge on Tuesday reduced the murder sentences of brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of killing their parents in 1989.
The Context
The brothers were sentenced to life behind bars in 1996 for the shotgun killings of their father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez at their home in Beverly Hills, California.
During the legal proceedings, defense lawyers argued that Erik and Lyle acted out of self-defense after being sexually abused by their father for years, while prosecutors argued that the brothers killed their parents to get a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
The case made headlines again in recent months after the fictional series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” was released on Netflix in September. A month later, on October 7, a documentary about the brothers was released on the streaming giant.
Less than two weeks later, several Menendez family members held a news conference urging Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón to recommend that Lyle and Erik be resentenced.
Gascón approved the brothers’ resentencing and scheduled it for October 24.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP
What To Know
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic reduced the brothers’ sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life, meaning they’re eligible for parole under a California law allowing for the consideration of parole for those who committed crimes when they were under age 26.
Lyle Menendez, now 57, was 21 years old and Erik, now 54, was 18 when they gunned down their parents.
At the courthouse on Tuesday, Jesic said he had given “long thought” to what sentences the brothers deserve, adding: “I do give them a lot of credit for changing their lives.”
What People Are Saying
Lyle Menendez made a statement via livestream before Jesic’s ruling: “I killed my mom and dad. I make no excuses and also no justification. The impact of my violent actions on my family … is unfathomable.”
Erik Menendez addressed his family in his statement: “You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better.”
Jesic said on Tuesday: “I’m not saying they should be released, it’s not for me to decide.”
He added: “I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years, that they should get that chance.”
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani weighed in on Jesic’s ruling, writing on X: “Erik and Lyle Menendez will likely be freed in a matter of months. I don’t see the parole board or Governor [Gavin] Newsom blocking their release. The Menendez brothers should send Netflix and former LA County DA Gascon nice cards this holiday season.”
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.