Judge Resentences Menendez Brothers, Could Be Released In Near Future

Lyle and Erik Menendez were resentenced on Tuesday to 50 years to life in prison.

The new sentencing now makes the brothers eligible for parole.

The Menendez brothers were initially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents.

L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic changed the brothers’ original sentence to 50 years to life, which under California’s youthful offender law makes the brothers “immediately eligible for parole because the shootings happened before they turned 26.”

In a statement, Erik Menendez wrote, “This has to be the first step in giving people who have no hope in prison some hope. My goal is to ensure there are no more people spending 35 years in prison without hope.”

The Menendez brothers have had their murder sentences reduced, making them eligible for parole. pic.twitter.com/IiuV7GSEtS

— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 14, 2025

Here’s what ABC News reported:

Erik and Lyle Menendez were resentenced on Tuesday to 50 years to life in prison, which makes them eligible for parole — the latest step in a years-long battle for the brothers trying to get released after 35 years behind bars.

The parole process will be long and could take years.

Erik and Lyle Menendez were initially sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. They have the support of over 20 family members in their efforts to be freed.

After the resentencing, Erik Menendez released a statement on Tuesday night, saying, “I am touched and humbled by the outpouring of support.”

“This has to be the first step in giving people who have no hope in prison some hope,” he said. “My goal is to ensure there are no more people spending 35 years in prison without hope. That possibility of having hope that rehabilitation works is more important than anything that happened to me today.”

The brothers watched Tuesday’s much-anticipated resentencing hearing via video from prison and gave their own statements to Judge Michael Jesic.

“I killed my mom and dad,” Lyle Menendez told the judge. “I give no excuses.”

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He also admitted to committing perjury by lying in court in the 90s. He apologized to his family for years of lies and the shock and grief of the crimes.

Menendez brothers move closer to freedom as Newsom drops clemency probes, sets parole hearing https://t.co/DZz9W9uCvO

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) May 15, 2025

Check out what the Los Angeles Times reported:

In the wake of a Los Angeles County judge resentencing Erik and Lyle Menendez to terms of 50 years to life, Gov. Gavin Newsom has withdrawn his request for a clemency investigation, turning a hearing scheduled in June before the parole board into an opportunity for the brothers to be granted early release.

The move streamlines the potential path to freedom for the brothers who have served more than 35 years in prison since being sentenced for killing their parents with shotguns in 1989.

“We’re grateful to Judge Jesic for his courage and fidelity to the law. We are hopeful that the Governor will write the final chapter in the brothers’ release,” their attorney, Mark Geragos, said.

On Tuesday, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic modified the brothers’ original sentence of life without parole to 50 years to life, which under the state’s youthful offender law, makes the brothers immediately eligible for parole because the shootings happened before they turned 26.

The parole board on Wednesday informed legal representatives that the governor was no longer pursuing the clemency investigations because of the decision to change the brothers’ sentences.

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“Since the ruling makes them immediately eligible for parole consideration as youth offenders, it is the Board’s intent to convert the June 13, 2025, clemency hearings to initial parole suitability hearings,” Scott Wyckoff, executive officer of Board of Parole Hearings stated in a letter.