Menendez brothers’ murder sentences reduced – making them eligible for parole | US News

A judge has reduced the Menendez brothers’ sentence – meaning they could be eligible for release.

Lyle, 57, and Erik, 54, received life sentences without the possibility of parole after being convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home in 1989.

Last year, Los Angeles district attorney George Gascon asked a judge to change the brothers’ sentence from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life.

On Tuesday, Los Angeles County superior court Judge Michael Jesic did so, paving the way for their parole and possible release.

The ruling capped off a day-long hearing in which several relatives, a retired judge and a former fellow inmate testified in support of efforts to shorten the brothers’ sentence.

The brothers appeared at the proceedings in Los Angeles County Superior Court via video feed from prison in San Diego.

But after the judge’s decision, they will have a new path to freedom after 35 years in prison.

They are now eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law because they committed the crime under the age of 26.

The state parole board must still decide whether to release them from prison.

While this decision is made, the brothers will remain behind bars.

“I’m not saying they should be released, it’s not for me to decide,” Judge Jesic said. “I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years, that they should get that chance.”

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