THE Menendez brothers have been given their first taste of freedom in 36 years, after being imprisoned for killing their parents in the 80s.
The infamous siblings – Lyle and Erik Menendez – were sentenced to life without parole in 1996, but now could potentially be released on parole before the end of 2024.
Lyle (left) and Erik Menendez (right) have been in jail since 1996 – seen here in 1990AP:Associated Press
Lyle and Erik have long alleged they were sexually and emotionally abused by their father, Jose MenendezBackGrid
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has announced his decision about the Menendez Brothers
The Menendez brothers were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty, with a pair of shotguns in their Beverly Hills mansion on August 18, 1989.
The siblings claimed to have killed their mom and dad after being subjected to years of abuse by their father.
The brothers said the fatal shooting was a form of “imperfect self-defence,” according to The New York Times.
Lyle was 21-years-old and Erik was 18 at the time of the fatal shootings and have been imprisoned since 1996.
Bid for freedom
On October 24, 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced that he would ask a judge to consider resentencing Lyle and Erik, now 56 and 55, respectively.
The DA said in a statement, “I came to a place where I believe, under the law, resentencing is appropriate.”
Gascon said he would ask the court to remove the life without the possibility of parole.
Instead he would request a sentence of 50 years to life with the possibility of parole.
But he added: “However, because of their age under the law, since they were under 26 years of age at the time that this crime occurred, they will be eligible for parole immediately.”
Possible release date
This means that the Menendez brothers could be released within the next 35 to 45 days.
But this depends on how quickly the legal process moves.
While he recommended Lyle and Erik be released, Gascon acknowledged the brothers had committed a horrible act.
However, he believes they have “paid their debt to society.”
Lyle Menendez could be free by the end of 2024The Mega Agency
Erik Menendez seen here in a mug shot taken in jailThe Mega Agency
Good behavior during incarceration
The DA also highlighted how the Menendez brothers had an impeccable record during their time in prison, and also noted how they had helped reform other convicts.
He said: “Even though they didn’t think they would ever be released because they were sentenced to life without parole, they engaged in a different journey.
“A journey of redemption and a journey of rehabilitation.”
A supporter holds a sign at a press conference with Menendez family members outside the Criminal Courts BuildingGetty Images – Getty
Erik and Lyle Menendez on the steps of their Beverly Hills home in November 1989Getty Images – Getty
Kitty and Jose Menendez, seated center, are shown with their two sons, Lyle (left) and EricCNN
The Menendez brothers reaction
Gascon said Lyle and Erik were not aware of the resentencing decision prior to the press conference.
He said the brothers were likely listening to his recommendation on television.
The DA added: “We appreciate what they did while they were in prison.
“While I disagree with the way they handled their abuse, we hope that they get reintegrated into our community and continue to do public good.”
A Los Angeles court is expected to hear the case on November 26, 2024.
Timeline of the Menendez brothers case
Erik and Lyle Menendez have been serving a life imprisonment sentence without the possibility of parole since July 1996.
The brothers were being convicted of shooting their parents to death in their Beverly Hills home in August 1989.
Timeline:
August 20, 1989 – José and Kitty Menendez are found dead from multiple shotgun wounds.
March 8, 1990 – Lyle is arrested outside his parents’ Beverly Hills mansion.
March 11, 1990 – Erik turns himself into police after flying back into Los Angeles from Israel.
July 20, 1993 – The highly publicized trial of Lyle and Erik begins and ends weeks later in a mistrial.
October 11, 1995 – Lyle and Erik’s second trial begins.
March 20, 1996 – The Menendez brothers are convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
July 2, 1996 – Lyle and Erik are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and sent to separate prisons.
February 2018 – Lyle is transferred to the San Diego prison, where Erik is held.
April 4, 2018 – Lyle was moved into the same housing unit as Erik – the first time the brothers were reunited in over 20 years.
May 2023 – The attorney representing Lyle and Erik files a habeas petition after Roy Rosselló, a member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, made sexual abuse allegations against Jose Menendez.
September 19, 2024 – Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story releases on Netflix.
October 3, 2024: Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said his office was reviewing new evidence in connection with Lyle and Erik’s convictions.
October 7, 2024 – The Menendez Brothers documentary film comes out on Netflix.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.