Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989, were resentenced Tuesday to 50 years to life in prison, making them eligible for parole after serving nearly 35 years behind bars.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic handed down the new sentence during a full-day hearing, citing the brothers' eligibility under California's youthful offender law, which allows parole consideration for individuals who committed crimes under the age of 26. Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 at the time of the killings.
"I'm not saying they should be released, it's not for me to decide," Jesic said from the bench. "I do believe they've done enough in the past 35 years, that they should get that chance."
The brothers, originally sentenced to life without parole in 1996, were convicted of using shotguns to kill their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their living room. Prosecutors argued that the murders were premeditated and financially motivated, claiming the brothers wanted access to their parents' multimillion-dollar estate. Defense attorneys maintained that the brothers acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual and emotional abuse by their father.
During Tuesday's hearing, both brothers addressed the court remotely via livestream and expressed remorse for their actions. Erik Menendez described the "shock, confusion and betrayal" his parents must have felt in their final moments, saying, "I had to stop being selfish and immature to really understand what my parents went through in those last moments."
Lyle Menendez became emotional as he described the impact of the murders on his extended family. "I lied to you and forced you into a spotlight of public humiliation," he said, directly addressing relatives. He was "grateful for your love and forgiveness."
The judge praised the brothers' behavior and accomplishments during their incarceration. Their work while in prison has been "remarkable," Jesic said. Erik has pursued college education and, according to cousin Diane Hernandez, recently received A+ grades in his latest semester. The two brothers also expressed a desire to support incarcerated individuals and victims of sexual abuse if granted parole.
The court also heard from relatives who urged the judge to consider their progress. Cousin Anamaria Baralt testified that the men had "taken ownership of their actions" and had changed significantly since their convictions. "They are very different men from the boys they were," she said. "It's been a nightmare. I am desperate for this process to be over."
Baralt also revealed that Lyle Menendez admitted to her he had previously asked a witness to lie during their initial trial, an acknowledgment she said demonstrates his evolution and accountability.
The new sentence now clears the way for the brothers to go before California's parole board, with a hearing scheduled for June. Jesic, while acknowledging the seriousness of the crime, said the resentencing aligns with the legal standards for youthful offenders and emphasized that any decision on their release would be made by parole officials.
