A California judge has reduced the sentences of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted for the 1989 murder of their parents in their Beverly Hills home. At the time of the crime, Erik was 18 and Lyle was 21.
Judge Michael Jesic resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. The state parole board is set to hold a hearing next month to determine whether they will be released.
“I’m not saying they should be released; it’s not for me to decide,” Jesic stated. “But I do believe they’ve done enough over the past 35 years to deserve that chance.”
The decision came after months of opposition from prosecutors, who argued the brothers had not fully accepted responsibility for their actions. The Menendez siblings have maintained that they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse by their parents.
The judge’s ruling followed testimony from family members, a retired judge, and a former inmate, all of whom supported resentencing. The wider Menendez family has also expressed forgiveness.
“We all, on both sides of the family, believe that 35 years is enough,” said Anamaria Baralt, a cousin. “They are universally forgiven by our family.”
During the hearing, both Erik and Lyle Menendez addressed the court, acknowledging their roles in the murders. Lyle said, “On Aug. 20, 1989, I killed my mom and dad. I make no excuses and also no justification.”
Originally sentenced to life without parole, the brothers have unsuccessfully appealed their convictions multiple times. While they admitted to the killings, they insisted they acted out of fear for their lives after years of sexual and psychological abuse.
Prosecutors, however, have portrayed the brothers as motivated by greed for their multimillion-dollar inheritance.
