October 24th 2024.
After spending 34 years in prison for the murder of their parents in 1989, the Menendez brothers may soon have a chance at freedom. The prosecutor in Los Angeles is requesting a resentencing for Erik, 53, and Lyle, 56, which could potentially lead to their release on parole.
In a statement on Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón explained his decision: "I have come to the conclusion that, based on the law, it is appropriate to request a resentencing for the Menendez brothers. I believe they have paid their debt to society." This move comes after years of debate and opposition within Gascón's office.
The brothers' age at the time of the crime, 18 and 21 respectively, makes them immediately eligible for parole. The prosecutor's formal request will be made in court on Friday, but it is expected that some officials in his office may argue against the resentencing.
In 1996, the Menendez brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and given a life sentence without the possibility of parole. However, their extended family members have been advocating for their release, arguing that if the case were tried today, the outcome could be different due to a greater understanding of sexual abuse.
Last week, the brothers' family members and defense attorney Mark Geragos held a press conference outside the Los Angeles courthouse, pleading for their release. Joan Andersen VanderMolen, the sister of the brothers' mother, Kitty Menendez, stated, "Their actions, while tragic, were the desperate response of two boys trying to survive the unspeakable cruelty of their father."
The Menendez brothers' story has gained worldwide attention over the years, and was recently featured in the Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The series, which was released earlier this year, sparked renewed interest in the case, but also received backlash.
Gascón acknowledged that the brothers did commit the murder, but mentioned new evidence, including a letter written by Erik to a cousin eight months before the crime, detailing the abuse they suffered. He believes this evidence could have swayed the jury's decision, had it been presented at the time.
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