On Thursday, George Gascón, the District Attorney for Los Angeles County, announced his recommendation for the resentencing of Erik and Lyle Menendez. The brothers are currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, a case that captivated the nation 35 years ago.

Gascón stated that he will submit his recommendation in court on Friday and advocate for the possibility of parole to be reconsidered. Under California law, since the brothers were under 26 at the time of the crime, they could be eligible for immediate parole, despite the typical punishment for two murders being 50 years to life imprisonment.

“I believe they have fulfilled their sentence,” he remarked.

Gascón’s decision comes after evaluating new evidence and speaking with family members advocating for the brothers’ release. These relatives argue that new information highlights the abuse suffered by the brothers at the hands of their father, the wealthy music executive Jose Menendez.

A jury found the Menendez brothers guilty in 1996 for the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez, following a highly publicized trial that originally ended in a mistrial.

At the time of the murders, Erik was 18 and Lyle was 21. Their defense argued they acted out of self-defense due to ongoing sexual abuse by both parents. They believed their parents might harm them to keep them from disclosing the abuse.

Prosecutors refuted the abuse allegations, claiming the brothers were primarily motivated by their desire to inherit their parents’ fortune, which was estimated at around $15 million. Their extravagant spending between the murders and their arrest added to public doubt about their claims.

The brothers’ legal teams and family advocates have argued that critical evidence of their past abuse was excluded during their second trial.

During Thursday’s press conference, family members expressed their appreciation for the district attorney’s decision after years of advocating for the brothers’ freedom.

“This action gives us renewed hope that the truth will come to light and that Lyle and Erik can start to heal from their traumatic experiences,” said Anamaria Baralt, a niece of Jose Menendez.

Office dedicated to examining ‘questionable’ convictions

The announcement followed intense discussions within the district attorney’s office, with Gascón noting that some staff members pushed for the brothers’ immediate release, while others advocated for them to remain incarcerated.

“I must be clear that we do not have complete consensus on this matter,” Gascón informed reporters, mentioning that some from his office may speak out against the decision in court.

He acknowledged the serious nature of the brothers’ actions but also emphasized their difficult upbringing, stating they “faced a significant amount of dysfunction at home and endured molestation.”

Gascón explained that the recommendation for resentencing focuses on the individual’s rehabilitation and whether they can safely re-enter society. He noted that the Menendez brothers have made personal progress and contributed positively to their fellow inmates despite initially having no expectations of release.

Announcement follows recent Netflix documentary

Gascón had initially planned to reveal his decision at a court hearing scheduled for November. However, renewed public interest sparked by a recent documentary prompted him to announce earlier. The Netflix film, titled “The Menendez Brothers,” features interviews with both Erik and Lyle Menendez and was released earlier this month. Additionally, Kim Kardashian wrote an essay in NBC News urging for a reconsideration of the brothers’ life sentences.

This decision comes as Gascón is gearing up for a challenging re-election campaign, where he currently trails his opponent by over 20 points in polling. He dismissed claims that the announcement was politically motivated, emphasizing that more than 300 individuals have been resentenced during his tenure, including 28 murder cases. Notably, only four have committed new offenses, he stated.

“There’s nothing partisan about this,” Gascón stated during the briefing.

Earlier this week, he also announced a hearing for the exoneration and release of two other people wrongfully convicted, Charlotte Pleytez and Lombardo Palacios, on November 1. They spent over 17 years in prison for a murder committed in East Hollywood in 2007, which Gascón’s Conviction Integrity Unit has determined they did not commit.

“We must consistently reevaluate questionable convictions for the sake of justice,” Gascón asserted in his statement about the upcoming hearing. “It is crucial to acknowledge that the system has faltered at times, and when it does, the effects can be life-changing.”

Letter and Additional Abuse Allegations May Be Crucial

The Menendez case has continued to captivate public interest even after the convictions. Recently, it has received renewed attention due to new documentaries and discussions around fresh evidence, including a letter allegedly penned by Erik Menendez to his cousin, Andy Cano, just months prior to the murders. Selected excerpts from this letter were part of a 2023 petition submitted by the brothers’ legal team.

“I’ve been trying to stay away from dad. It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s even worse for me now,” one excerpt reveals. “I never know when it’s going to occur, and it’s driving me insane. Every night I lie awake worrying he might come in.”

Later on, the letter mentions: “I understand what you said before, but I’m scared. You just don’t know what dad is like. He’s unpredictable! He’s threatened me countless times about telling anyone.”

In addition to this, investigators are looking into claims made by a member of the 1980s pop group Menudo, who alleged he was abused by Jose Menendez.

These claims were highlighted last year in the Peacock documentary series “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed.”