Eric and Lyle Menendez. Credit: Instagram @netflix
Convicted in 1996 for murdering their parents at their Beverly Hills home in 1989, Lyle and Eric Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without parole.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, a Los Angeles judge changed his sentence from a life without parole to a life of 50 years, and quickly qualified for parole under California’s Youthful Crime Act.
Who are the Menendez brothers?
The incident has recently attracted public attention thanks to the 2024 Netflix drama. Monster: The Story of Lyle and Eric Menendez 2024 Netflix Documentary Menendez brothers. These productions rekindled interest in the shocking true crime stories that first captivated the United States in the 1990s.
Menendez’s brother became a common name when the first televised trial was broadcast on television, revealing allegations of childhood sexual abuse and sparking public debate.
Why did the Menendez brothers resent?
Currently 57 and 54, Lyle and Eric were convicted of killing their parents with entertainment executive Josemenendez and his wife Kitty in 1989, when their siblings were 21 and 18 years old. Prosecutors argued that they were motivated by the multi-million dollar succession. They allegedly acted out of self-defense after years of suspected sexual abuse by their father after allegations they had maintained from day one.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jessick cut his sentence on Tuesday following last year’s demands by District Attorney George Gascon.
Judge Jesic told the court: (Quote) Sky News.))
The brothers appeared in a video from prison to express their regret.
Lyle said: “I killed my mother and dad. I don’t make any excuses or justifications.”
Eric added:
Several families spoke on their behalf, urging the court to allow their rehabilitation.
Cousin Anamaria Baratt told the court:
“We all believe that 35 years is enough on both sides of our family. They are universally permitted by our families.”
Current district attorney Nathan Hochman opposed the decision, saying:
“They haven’t become clean… our position is not ‘no’. It’s not “never.” That’s “not yet.” ”
He challenges their allegations of abuse, claiming that the brothers were not fully responsible.
The brothers are eligible for parole under California’s Youthful Crime Act. A suitability hearing is scheduled for June 13, 2025, tied to a generous petition filed with Governor Gavin Newsom.
If you are parole, Newsom may override the decision. If rejected, the brothers will continue to receive future hearings.
They also have pending resident corpus petitions calling for a new trial based on evidence of new abuse. Its legal status remains unknown.
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