In a landmark legal shift decades in the making, a Los Angeles judge ruled Tuesday that Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents, are now eligible for parole, opening the door to a potential release after more than 30 years behind bars.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic re-sentenced the brothers from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life, recognizing their status under California’s youthful offender statute. This decision acknowledges their ages at the time of the crime — Erik was 18, Lyle 21 — and makes both men, now in their 50s, eligible for parole consideration.
The Menendez brothers have been incarcerated since 1990, convicted of fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Their original sentencing reflected the court’s rejection of their claims that the murders were committed in self-defense following years of physical and sexual abuse.
Their defense, then widely dismissed, has regained public attention and sympathy in recent years due to renewed media focus. Documentaries and dramatized Netflix series helped highlight their allegations of childhood trauma, leading to a re-examination of their case and eventual calls for a reassessment of their sentence.
Attorney Cliff Gardner, speaking to KNBC-TV, described the brothers’ emotional reaction following the decision: “They had tears and they were smiling,” he said after watching them via a video feed from prison. Both men are currently housed in San Diego-area facilities.
The ruling followed a full-day hearing in which family members, a retired judge, and even a former fellow inmate testified in support of the Menendez brothers, urging their release or, at minimum, parole eligibility. Their decades of rehabilitative work inside prison were central to the argument.
Lyle Menendez launched a trauma awareness program to help inmates understand childhood abuse, while Erik Menendez co-founded a hospice care initiative for terminally ill prisoners. These efforts, said their attorney Mark Geragos, exemplify the brothers’ transformation behind bars.
“I know on a day like today, redemption is possible,” Geragos said. “The Menendez brothers have done remarkable work, and today is a great day after 35 years.”
Anna Maria Baralt, niece of Jose Menendez, expressed her support outside the courtroom, thanking the brothers for becoming men “we could bring home.” She added, “Ultimately, we are here today because of Erik and Lyle’s choices to live with clarity and purpose.”
However, opposition to their release remains strong. Current Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman argued that the brothers should not be eligible for parole, stating they have not fully admitted to the details of the crime or the elaborate cover-up that followed.
“The Menendez brothers are not ready for resentencing,” Hochman said before the hearing, referencing a recent state parole board report that assessed them as posing a “moderate risk” to public safety. The report cited several prison violations, including possession of unauthorized cell phones.
Hochman also attempted to overturn the resentencing petition brought by his predecessor, former District Attorney George Gascón, who had initiated the process last year after new abuse-related evidence surfaced. The judge rejected Hochman’s objections and chose to uphold the original petition.
Geragos, seeking to avoid further delays, withdrew a separate motion that would have disqualified Hochman from the case.
Now eligible for parole, the brothers will undergo a formal review by the state parole board. The outcome of that review is uncertain and may take months. Even if approved for parole, the final decision could rest with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is also reviewing a separate clemency request on their behalf.
Newsom commissioned the parole board’s risk assessment, which found that while the brothers have shown signs of rehabilitation, their release could still pose a moderate risk. Despite this, Judge Jesic appeared unconvinced that the report should halt their progression toward parole.
The Menendez case has remained a cultural flashpoint for over three decades — a complex story of wealth, alleged abuse, brutal violence, and a justice system that has continually evolved. This latest decision not only brings the brothers a step closer to freedom but also signals a broader shift in how the law treats youthful offenders and abuse survivors.
Though they remain incarcerated for now, the Menendez brothers’ journey from infamy to possible redemption continues, as parole hearings and clemency deliberations loom ahead.
