Menendez Brothers Win Chance at Parole After 35 Years \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ After serving 35 years for killing their parents, Erik and Lyle Menendez are now eligible for parole. A Los Angeles judge reduced their life sentences to 50 years to life, citing rehabilitation and youth at the time of the crime. The state parole board will decide next steps.
Quick Looks
- Judge reduced life without parole to 50-to-life sentence.
- Brothers now eligible for parole under youthful offender law.
- Lyle and Erik both expressed remorse during hearing.
- Judge cited rehabilitation, family support, and inmate testimony.
- Charges reduced to manslaughter, with credit for time served.
- Final release decision lies with California parole board.
- Defense cited trauma, abuse, and evolving understanding of justice.
- Netflix series renewed global attention on the infamous case.
Deep Look
Lyle and Erik Menendez, whose 1989 killing of their wealthy parents captivated and divided the nation, have been given a new chance at freedom. On Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law — a dramatic shift in a case that once symbolized harsh sentences for youthful violence.
Their original sentence of life without parole, handed down in 1996, has now been replaced with a term that acknowledges both their rehabilitation and their ages at the time of the crime — 18 and 21.
Judge Jesic emphasized the seriousness of their actions but acknowledged their transformation in prison, stating:
“I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years that they should get that chance.”
Brothers Show Remorse in Court Appearance
Appearing via livestream, Lyle Menendez addressed the court with somber clarity:
“I killed my mom and dad. I make no excuses and also no justification.”
Erik Menendez, visibly emotional, expressed regret and directed his apology toward surviving family members:
“You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better.”
The moment marked the first time both brothers publicly spoke in court since the resentencing effort began.
The Path to Parole and Legal Reform
Under California’s youthful offender statute, individuals who committed serious crimes before age 26 may be considered for parole if a judge determines they’ve been rehabilitated. Jesic’s ruling does not guarantee freedom — that decision now rests with the California parole board — but it gives the Menendez brothers a legal route that didn’t exist when they were convicted.
Jesic pointed to a letter from a veteran prison official in support of the brothers’ release — the first such letter the official had written in 25 years — as one of the most persuasive elements.
He also clarified:
“I’m not saying they should be released. That’s not my role. But they deserve the chance to be considered.”
A Shift in Legal and Cultural Understanding
Defense attorney Mark Geragos, who has represented the brothers for decades, praised the decision:
“Today is a great day after 35 years. We’ve evolved. This is not the ’90s anymore. We now understand trauma, abuse, and rehabilitation differently.”
Geragos and his team argued that the brothers’ claims of abuse, dismissed during their original trials, would be treated more seriously under current standards of trauma-informed justice.
Family and Community Support
Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of Erik and Lyle, testified:
“They are universally forgiven by our family. Thirty-five years is enough.”
Another cousin, Tamara Goodell, brought her son to meet the brothers in prison and described their potential to contribute positively to society if released.
Diane Hernandez, who also testified during the first trial, described the abuse she witnessed in the Menendez household. She recalled a chilling “hallway rule” imposed by their father, Jose Menendez, forbidding anyone from being on the same floor when he was alone with one of the boys.
Resentencing Based on Rehabilitation
Judge Jesic’s ruling followed weeks of hearings that included testimony from former inmates, correctional staff, and judicial officials.
Former judge Jonathan Colby called the brothers “rare” among incarcerated individuals, praising their efforts to create programs for elderly and disabled prisoners.
Anerae “Overtime” Brown, a former inmate who credits the brothers with helping him change his life, told the court:
“They started something we called ‘Menendez University.’ Without them, I might still be in there, doing stupid things.”
Both brothers have earned educational degrees, led support groups, and mentored others during their decades behind bars.
Changing Prosecutorial Perspectives
The resentencing motion was originally filed by former LA County District Attorney George Gascón, whose office cited modern psychological insights into abuse and trauma as grounds for leniency. His petition focused on the brothers’ rehabilitation and claimed the case would be prosecuted differently today.
However, current DA Nathan Hochman objected, arguing that the brothers “have not fully come clean” about the crime and cited a forensic psychologist’s analysis suggesting they may still pose a “moderate” risk.
Hochman’s office also highlighted an alleged incident involving contraband cellphones as evidence of behavioral lapses.
Nevertheless, Jesic rejected these objections, concluding that the legal framework called for a focus on rehabilitation, not a rehashing of facts from the 1989 crime.
What Happens Next
Now eligible for parole, Erik and Lyle Menendez will undergo a review by the state parole board, which will assess their rehabilitation, conduct in prison, and future plans. That process could take several months to years.
Supporters, many galvanized by the recent Netflix series, continue to rally behind them, believing justice has shifted with the times.
The decision does not erase their crime, but it does reflect a growing legal consensus that youthful offenders, particularly those shaped by trauma, deserve the opportunity for redemption.
Menendez Brothers Win Menendez Brothers Win
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