Menendez Brothers Win Chance at Release During Resentencing

Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are often called "The Menendez brothers," are two of the most infamous convicted murderers in the United States, but they've won some sympathizers and, now, a chance at freedom.

According to The New York Times, on May 13, 2025, Lyle and Erik Menendez "were resentenced...to a prison sentence that included the possibility of parole."

How long have the brothers been in jail? Since 1990. Today Lyle Menendez is age 57, and Erik Menendez is 54. "Erik and Lyle shot and killed their parents, Jose and KittyMenendez, in the family’s Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989," a court document in the case says.

That doesn't mean they will be released for sure, but it does mean that they have a chance to get out of prison, which they did not have before.

According to the Associated Press, the resentencing gives the brothers "a shot at freedom." The new sentence, AP reported, changed their punishment from "life without parole to 50 years to life."

The parole possibility is a new thing and it sets "the stage for their possible release" after serving more than 30 years behind bars, The Times also reported.

The brothers were convicted of killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. A court document paints a grisly scene, saying, "Erik and Lyle’s parents were unarmedand in the den, watching television and eating. Lyle and Erik burst through the doors of the den and fired 13 to 15 shotgun blasts at their parents." The court records show that prosecutors argued greed was the motive, as the brothers stood to inherit their parents' estate, which was not insignificant.

Despite the brutality of the crime, the brothers received growing support after Peacock’s docuseries Menéndez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, in which a boy band member named Roy Rosselló accused the brothers' father, Jose Menendez, an RCA music executive, of sexually abusing him, Variety reported. That gave more credence to their decades-old claim that they murdered their parents because of the father's abuse.

The judge who resentenced them, Michael V. Jesic, made the decision after "a day of testimony by family members," who said the brothers are now rehabilitated, according to The Times. 

“This was an absolutely horrific crime,” Jesic said, according to The Times, noting the support the brothers received.

“I’m not suggesting they should be released,” he said. “That’s not for me to decide.” But, he continued: “I do believe they have done enough over the last 35 years to get that chance.” 

It's now up to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California parole board to decide whether the brothers will ever be released, The Times reported.

According to The AP, the judge sort of split the difference. That's because the attorney for Lyle and Erik Menendez, Mark Geragos, wanted their convictions reduced to manslaughter so they would be immediately freed, but the judge did not do that.

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