Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted for killing their parents in 1989, have been declared eligible for parole after 35 years in prison following a re-sentencing under California’s youthful offender law.
Lyle and Erik Menendez, who have served 35 years for the 1989 murders of their parents in Beverly Hills, were ruled eligible for parole on Tuesday during a re-sentencing hearing in Los Angeles. The decision was made under California’s youthful offender statute, which allows parole consideration for individuals who committed crimes before age 26 and have served at least half of their sentence.
The brothers, now aged 57 and 54, had been serving life without the possibility of parole following their 1996 conviction. The re-sentencing, led by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic, replaced their original terms with new sentences of 50 years to life.
Judge Jesic described the original crime as “absolutely horrific” but noted the brothers’ rehabilitation in prison as “amazing,” citing their behaviour and contributions while incarcerated. Both expressed remorse during the hearing and accepted full responsibility for the killings.
The Menendez brothers were found guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, as they watched television in August 1989. The prosecution argued the motive was financial gain, while the defence maintained that the brothers acted out of fear following years of sexual and emotional abuse.
Recent evidence, including a letter Erik allegedly wrote to a cousin and new claims from a former member of the 1980s pop band Menudo, was presented to support the abuse allegations. These claims were also the subject of renewed public interest through recent documentaries and dramatizations.
The parole decision now rests with the California parole board and Governor Gavin Newsom. A separate parole board hearing is scheduled for June 13 to review clemency petitions.
While the defence pointed to rehabilitation and family forgiveness, the prosecution maintained opposition, questioning whether the brothers had genuinely taken responsibility and arguing that they remain untrustworthy.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to...
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, S...
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 12 October 2026 with the top five natural disasters happening around the world. ...
The explosion at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday afternoon killed at least 12 people and injured a further 309, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The airport remains closed until further notice.
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
Yemen's Houthis renewed warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom “bore responsibility for failed interceptions”, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukraine is ready to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow also halts strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 12 October 2026 with the top five natural disasters happening around the world.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukraine is ready to respect the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, but only if Russia does the same, saying Moscow has already violated the agreement.
China has announced sanctions against Belize’s foreign minister and Paraguay’s communications minister over their countries’ diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The move comes as Beijing continues to pressure the few remaining nations that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment