Erik and Lyle Menendez, imprisoned for the 1989 killings of their parents, are scheduled for a parole hearing on June 13 following a resentencing decision. On Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic re-sentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law, as they were under 26 at the time of the crime.
The brothers, who have served over 35 years in prison, were initially sentenced to life without parole. During the resentencing hearing, emotional testimonies from family members supported the brothers’ release, arguing that they had spent enough time behind bars. Anamaria Baralt, a cousin, stated, “We all on both sides of the family say 35 years is enough.”
Judge Jesic dismissed the prosecution’s arguments that the brothers had not shown proper insight into their crimes, stating that the prosecution failed to prove the brothers posed an unreasonable risk to the public. Both Erik and Lyle Menendez expressed remorse for their actions during the hearing. Erik called the murders “an atrocious act of brutality,” while Lyle took full responsibility for his choices.
The resentencing decision follows a petition filed by former District Attorney George Gascón. The brothers’ defense attorney, Mark Geragos, had requested a manslaughter sentence, citing fear of their father as a motive for the killings. However, Jesic’s ruling aligned with Gascón’s request for a reduced sentence.
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