Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted of killing their mother and father in 1989, have been given a brand new probability at freedom after greater than three many years behind bars.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom Decide Michael Jesic reduced their sentences from life with out parole to 50 years to life, making them instantly eligible to use for launch.
The choice got here after years of authorized efforts and emotional pleas from members of the family who’ve lengthy supported their launch.
Through the resentencing listening to, each brothers addressed the courtroom by way of video, expressing regret for his or her crimes.
“On Aug. 20, 1989, I killed my mother and pop. I make no excuses and in addition no justification,” mentioned Lyle Menendez, holding again tears.
“The affect of my violent actions on my household … is unfathomable.”
Jesic dominated instantly after listening to their statements, shortening what was anticipated to be a two-day listening to.
“I’m not saying they need to be launched; it’s not for me to determine,” he mentioned.
The Menendez brothers have had their homicide sentences decreased, making them eligible for parole. pic.twitter.com/IiuV7GSEtS
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 14, 2025
“I do consider they’ve executed sufficient prior to now 35 years, that they need to get that probability.”
The ruling adopted months of opposition from prosecutors, who argued the brothers had not absolutely accepted accountability for his or her actions.
Nevertheless, they finally selected to not current additional witnesses, stating that they had already submitted all related proof.
The protection, in the meantime, offered character witnesses, together with members of the family, to focus on their rehabilitation.
The choose mentioned he was significantly influenced by a letter from a jail official supporting resentencing, one thing the official had by no means executed earlier than in 25 years.
Erik Menendez additionally addressed his household in the course of the listening to.
“You didn’t deserve what I did to you, however you encourage me to do higher,” he mentioned.
The brothers have been convicted in 1996 of murdering their father, Jose Menendez, a music government, and their mom, Kitty, of their Beverly Hills dwelling. They have been 18 and 21 on the time.
Whereas the protection cited years of sexual abuse, prosecutors maintained the killings have been financially motivated.
Their next step is a parole listening to scheduled for June 13, which features a threat evaluation ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom as a part of a clemency evaluate.
