Menendez Brothers’ sentence shortened by judge, making parole possible

The Menendez Brothers, who are serving life in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, have had their sentences reduced in a Los Angeles court.

Erik and Lyle Menendez have been in custody since 1990 after shooting their parents at the age of 18 and 21 in their Beverly Hills mansion. In 1996, they were sentenced to life without parole, however on Tuesday (May 13) they had that sentence reduced to 50 years to life, which opens up the possibility of parole (via BBC News).

The killings came into public consciousness in 2024, when a dramatisation of the events was produced by Netflix, titled Monsters: The Menendez Brothers. A month later, a true crime documentary, titled simply The Menendez Brothers, also aired on the streamer, featuring the men speaking on the case for the first time in decades.

The popularity of the two series has led to public support for their release, with many believing the killings were prompted by the brothers being victims of sexual assault by their parents. This, and evident of their rehabilitation while in prison, have led to an increased effort for their release.

The argument for the reduced sentenced in court centred around their efforts to reform during the last 30 years. Family members and those who worked with the brothers on educational programmes gave testimony, while the men themselves gave emotional testimony.

“I had to stop being selfish and immature to really understand what my parents went though in those last moments,” Erik Menendez told the court, describing the “shock, confusion and betrayal” they must have felt at the sight of their sons with firearms. Lyle Menendez apologised to their family, saying: “I lied to you and forced you into a spotlight of public humiliation”.

Both men expressed a desire to help prisoners and victims of sexual abuse should they ever be released. That decision must be made by the state parole board, which will hold a hearing in the case next month.

While many have expressed support, Ryan Murphy, who created the Monsters miniseries about them, called the brothers “disgusting” and “reprehensible” for “playing the victim card” last October.

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