Lyle and Erik Menendez, the brothers sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of their parents, may be released from prison within weeks following a significant announcement from the chief prosecutor in Los Angeles.
George Gascón stated at a press conference on Thursday that he intends to request a judge to reconsider the sentences of the men, whose 35-year-old case has garnered renewed attention due to a recent Netflix series and documentary.
Should the judge accept his recommendation, the brothers could become eligible for immediate parole under a 2015 California law that permits individuals sentenced to life in prison before the age of 25 to seek parole after serving 25 years.
“After a very careful review of all the arguments made … I came to a place where I believe that, under the law, resentencing is appropriate and I’m going to recommend that to a court tomorrow,” Mr Gascón said.
A judge will make the final determination in a case during a hearing scheduled for November 26.
The brothers have been incarcerated since 1996, when they received life sentences without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of their parents, José and Kitty, at their Beverly Hills residence on August 20, 1989. At the time of the murders, Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18.
Prosecutors contended that the brothers conspired to eliminate their affluent parents in order to expedite a $14 million inheritance.
However, both individuals and their supporters have consistently argued that they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse at the hands of their father.
Mr. Gascón has indicated that his recommendation would be for the two men to be resentenced for a lesser charge of murder, which would carry a penalty of 50 years to life.
“However, because of their age under the law, since they were under 26 years of age at the time that these crimes occurred, they would be eligible for parole immediately.”
“There are people in this office that strongly believe (they) should stay in prison for life and they do not believe they were molested.
“And there are people in this office that strongly believe they should be released immediately, and that they were, in fact, molested.”
Further updates will follow.
