Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted of the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, were resentenced on Tuesday, making them eligible for parole after more than three decades behind bars. Los Angeles superior court Judge Michael Jesic reduced their punishment from life without parole to 50 years to life, allowing the California parole board to now determine their fate.Judge Jesic clarified, “I’m not saying they should be released, it’s not for me to decide. I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years, that they should get that chance,” reported AP. The ruling came after an emotional hearing, where relatives, a retired judge and even a former inmate spoke in favour of their rehabilitation.As per news agency Reuters, the brothers, now 57 and 54, were convicted in 1996 for the brutal killings inside their Beverly Hills mansion. Prosecutors had argued they killed their parents to inherit millions. The brothers admitted to the murders but said they acted out of fear following years of sexual abuse by their father and emotional trauma inflicted by their mother.In court, both brothers took full accountability. “I killed my mom and dad. I make no excuses. I take full responsibility,” Lyle Menendez told the judge via video, as per news agency AFP. Erik echoed similar sentiments, calling his actions “cruel and cowardly.”Former Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón had filed the resentencing petition last year, citing new evidence supporting the abuse claims and the brothers’ record of rehabilitation. Since their incarceration, they’ve pursued education, formed inmate support groups, and reportedly shown consistent remorse. “Without Lyle and Erik I might still be sitting in there doing stupid things,” testified former inmate Anerae Brown, as quoted by AP.However, current DA Nathan Hochman opposed the resentencing, stating the brothers had “not fully accepted responsibility for all their criminal conduct.” He questioned their claims of abuse and added, “Our position is not ‘no’, it’s not ‘never’, it’s ‘not yet.’”Family support has been strong. One cousin, Tamara Goodell, told the court she recently introduced her 13-year-old son to the brothers in prison, believing they could contribute positively if freed. Another, Ana Maria Baralt, declared, “We all, on both sides of the family, believe that 35 years is enough.”With their sentences reduced, the Menendez brothers could potentially be released as soon as next month, pending a parole board review.
