Menendez Bros Win Resentencing Battle, Eligible For Parole

A Los Angeles judge has resentenced the Menendez brothers to 50 years to life on Tuesday, making them eligible for parole and opening the door for their potential release from prison.

Lyle, 57, and Erik, 54, were originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996 for murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989 inside their Beverly Hills home. The brothers have justified the fatal shootings, claiming they endured sexual abuse from their father that went on for several years.

Both brothers read statements during the resentencing hearing.

“I committed an atrocious act. My actions were criminal, selfish and cowardly,” Erik said. “I have come a long way on this path [of redemption].” 

The case had received renewed interest after several high-profile entertainment projects were released, including a Netflix docuseries.

Judge Michael Jesic said he’d given the case “long thought.” While the judge described Lyle and Erik’s crime as “absolutely horrific,” he added that in his belief, they’ve been rehabilitated while in jail for the past three decades.

“Life without parole gives an inmate no hope, no reason to do anything good. And I give them a lot of credit. It’s remarkable what they did when they had no hope of getting out,” Jesic said.

Menendez brothers’ attorney Mark Geragos said after the hearing, “I’m hopeful and glad that we’re one huge step closer to bringing the boys home.”

“This encourages people who are incarcerated to make the right decisions, to take the right path,” Geragos went on. “It’s just a win-win on so many levels.”

Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón initiated the resentencing process before losing his re-election bid to Nathan Hochman. In March, the new DA filed a motion to withdraw the resentencing petition, saying the self-defense claims were nothing but “lies,” according to ABC News.

“The Menendez brothers have failed to come clean with the full extent of their criminal conduct, their cover-up, their lies and their deceit,” Hochman said outside the courtroom on Tuesday.

Members of the Menendez family have mostly supported the brothers’ resentencing bid. Their uncle, Milton Anderson, was the only family member to publicly oppose the effort. He died in March.