Two brothers who were convicted of killing their parents and featured in Netflix shows could be freed early after 34 years behind bars.
Lyle Menendez, 56, and his 53-year-old brother Erik are serving life in prison without parole for the shotgun murders of their father and mother – Jose and Kitty Menendez – in 1989.
They were jailed after a trial in 1996 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18.
On Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon recommended that the pair be resentenced – replacing their life sentence with a sentence of 50 years to life.
This would mean the brothers would be eligible for parole immediately because they were under 26 years old at the time of the murders, Mr Gascon said.
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“Under the law, resentencing is appropriate. I’m going to recommend that to a court tomorrow,” the district attorney told a news conference.
“I believe they have paid their debt to society.”
Prosecutors must now seek court approval on the case, with the final decision falling to the judge.
The brothers in 2023. Pics: Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility
It comes after Mr Gascon said his office would be reviewing new evidence that allegedly corroborates claims that Erik was sexually abused by his father, who was a music executive.
Both the brothers claim they killed their parents in self-defence after enduring a lifetime of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from them.
Their lawyers argue that because of society’s changing views on sexual abuse, if tried today the brothers may not have been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.
George Gascon shakes hands with Joan Andersen VanderMolen, sister of Kitty Menendez. Pic: Reuters
But prosecutors contended at the time there was no evidence of any molestation and said the brothers were after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.
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Multiple extended family members have united to call for the brothers’ release and have formed a “new coalition” called Justice for Erik and Lyle.
Speaking after the recommendation was announced on Thursday, Anamaria Baralt, a niece of Jose, said: “Today is a day filled with hope for our family.
Pic: AP
“This step gives us all hope that the truth will finally be heard and Lyle and Erik can begin to heal from the trauma of their past.”
Another relative, believed to be a niece of Kitty, added: “This decision is not just a legal matter, it is a recognition of the abuse my cousins endured.
“We are grateful to the district attorney for putting justice over politics. We know this wasn’t an easy decision but it is the right one.
“It is time for Lyle and Erik to come home.”
Not all Menendez family members support resentencing. Milton Andersen, the 90-year-old brother of Kitty, has filed a legal brief asking the court to keep the brothers’ original punishment.
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The Menendez case was thrust back into the limelight after Monsters, a Netflix drama telling of their story, and a documentary were recently released.
