Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has announced his decision to recommend the resentencing of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989.
Gascón shared his decision during a press conference on Thursday, October 24, stating that he believes the brothers have paid their debt to society after serving over 35 years in prison.
The district attorney will file his recommendation on Friday, seeking to remove the “life without the possibility of parole” ruling from their case.
Gascón noted that there was internal conflict within his office regarding the decision, with some believing the brothers should remain in prison for life, while others think they should be released immediately.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were initially sentenced to life in prison without parole in the late 1990s.
During their first trial, they alleged sexual assault by their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, but the trial ended in a hung jury. Subsequent proceedings did not consider the alleged sexual assaults, leading to their life sentences.
New evidence, including a letter from Erik to his cousin detailing alleged sexual abuse by his father, prompted Gascón to reevaluate the case. This evidence, along with allegations from a former member of the band Menudo claiming José Menendez had sexually abused him, supported the brothers’ claims.
Gascón emphasized that the brothers’ ages at the time of the crime – Erik was 18, and Lyle was 21 – and their rehabilitation while incarcerated justify resentencing. He believes they do not pose a threat and have earned parole eligibility.
The Menendez brothers’ next court date is scheduled for November 26. Their family, including over 20 members from both their mother’s and father’s sides, has advocated for their release. Celebrities like Rosie O’Donnell, Kim Kardashian, and Cooper Koch, who played Erik in the Netflix series “Monsters,” have also supported their release.