What’s next for the brothers?

half an hour ago.

Saville and Christal Hayes.

the BBC News.

reporting out of California’s Los Angeles.

The brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were found guilty of killing their parents over thirty years ago, are getting closer to being released from prison.

The brothers are presently incarcerated in California for life without the possibility of release.

In a formal court filing on Friday, the Los Angeles County district attorney argued for a reduced sentence for the two and recommended their resentencing. The request would qualify the brothers for parole if it were granted.

It’s a big step forward in a case that has captivated the country, but it’s only the beginning.

Furthermore, not everyone is thrilled about the possibility of regaining their independence.

Prison time details are included in the resentence request.

A timeline of the case, an argument for the Menendez brothers’ resentence, and specifics of their jail time are all included in the 57-page court motion that the district attorney’s office filed and that BBC News was able to obtain.

In addition to the brothers’ numerous programs they started behind bars to assist other prisoners, such as those who had experienced childhood trauma and elderly or disabled inmates, the filing includes positive recommendations from prison officials. The educational degrees both brothers earned during their incarceration are also included.

“Without any expectation or hope of ever being released” is how the report describes what was done.

The 30-year disciplinary histories for Erik and Lyle Menendez are also included. For having a cell phone in a cell with other prisoners, both brothers received citations.

Erik Menendez was involved in two fights in 1997 and 2011, among other infractions.

Since “he wouldn’t fight back when attacked,” Lyle Menendez was transferred from the general population to the “special needs” section of the prison in 1997, according to the report. He was never cited for any fights. In 1998, a “female visitor brought him” a brand-new pair of Adidas sneakers, and in 2013, a lighter, he was cited twice for contraband.

The filing claims that Erik and Lyle Menendez are “ready to reenter society” after “transforming and taking advantage of meaningful opportunities to mature, move beyond criminal thinking, repent, and become a productive community members” while incarcerated.

What is the next step?

The district attorney’s office will use Friday’s filing as the foundation for their argument in front of the judge regarding the brothers’ resentment.

Setting up a resentencing hearing, where a judge will hear arguments for and against the change, is the next step.

The top LA prosecutor supports the parole release of the Menendez brothers.

The murder case of the famous Menendez brothers will be examined.

They are seeking a murder sentence from the office of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

At a news conference on Thursday, the district attorney stated that they would be “eligible for parole immediately” under California law, depending on their age at the time of the crimes.

Lyle and Erik Menendez may attend the hearing, according to his office, which hopes to set a date for it within the next 30 to 45 days.

It is likely to be a contentious hearing. Mr. Gascón pointed out that his office is divided over this case, and some of his employees may argue against him in court.

The California parole board will come into focus if the judge grants the new sentence following the hearing.

The board will review the case and determine whether the release of the Menendez brothers poses a threat to society.

In the event that the board authorizes their release, Governor Gavin Newsom may choose to put a stop to the process.

What have the Menendez family members been saying?

Erik and Lyle killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, 35 years ago, but earlier this month, more than two dozen Menendez family members publicly called for their release.

According to those relatives, the boys are not a threat to society because they suffered horrendous sexual abuse at the hands of their father.

“The whole world wasn’t ready to believe that the boys could be raped, or that young men could be victims of sexual violence,” Kitty Menendez’s sister Joan Anderson VanderMolen contended.

“We know better now,” she said, adding that “a jury today would never deliver such a harsh sentence.”.

The family isn’t entirely in agreement, though.

Milton Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez, was represented by an attorney who described the brothers as “cold-blooded” and claimed that their “actions shattered their family and left a trail of grief that has persisted for decades.”. “,”.

“After Erik reloaded, Kitty was shot ten times, including once in the face, and Jose was shot six times. “,”.

According to his attorney, Kathy Cady, Mr. Andersen feels his nephews should remain behind bars for their “heinous act.”.

The Menendez brothers’ family demands that they be freed for the murder of their parents.

Why, 35 years after the murders, is this still taking place?

Former federal prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer Neama Rahmani told the BBC that the Menendez brothers have a genuine chance at freedom because of a “perfect storm of PR and politics.”.

He pointed to the recent celebrity attention the case has received, the drama and docuseries on Netflix about it, and the “embattled” district attorney running for reelection.

“A case like this will never come up again. A unicorn is what it is. “.

In May 2023, the Menendez brothers filed a motion to have their convictions overturned, citing new evidence in their case.

Although his office had been considering the case for over a year, Mr. Gascón claimed that he decided to recommend their resentencing on Thursday, just one hour before a widely reported news conference on the historic case.

Twelve days prior to election day, the decision was made. Mr. Gascón, who is seeking reelection as Los Angeles County District Attorney, is currently trailing by thirty points in certain polls. He said it was a long time coming and denied that his announcement was political.

The ruling also coincided with a resurgence of interest in the case, sparked by the release of the documentary The Menendez Brothers and the new Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

A new generation of people became aware of the case thanks to the series, and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Rosie O’Donnell took notice and demanded the brothers’ release.

Why is the Menendez drama on Netflix controversial?

For what reason did the Menendez brothers murder their parents?

This case has always revolved around motive.

The brothers were portrayed by the prosecution as pampered, affluent children who murdered their parents in their Beverly Hills home in order to take advantage of their $14 million (£10,7 million) fortune.

As they watched TV together, they argued, methodically purchased shotguns, and killed their parents thirteen times in all. After that, they went to parties, gambled, and went shopping, purchasing items like Rolex watches.

Their doctor’s girlfriend recorded their admission on audio and reported it to the police, which ultimately resulted in their arrest after they made a confession to a psychologist.

After years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, the brothers claimed they acted in self-defense and eventually confessed to the murders.

They testified in court that they were afraid their parents would murder them if they didn’t take action first. In their testimonies, Lyle and Erik said they confronted their parents about the sexual abuse, that their home had descended into violence, and that they thought their parents were plotting their murder.

None of the family members who testified described having direct knowledge of sexual abuse, but they did describe the abuse they witnessed.

The story’s many turns made it notorious, and even now, thirty-five years later, it still serves as the inspiration for new documentaries and motion pictures.