Menendez brothers' resentencing is a step toward release

The Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996 for the murder of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez, which they have maintained for years was in self-defense after enduring continual sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Neither brother denied the crime at this hearing, with Lyle reportedly taking responsibility for making a “mockery of the criminal legal system” by lying to police and Erik acknowledging “the terror [his parents] must have felt when their own son fired a gun at them.” 

While Judge Michael V. Jesic called the brothers’ crime “absolutely horrific,” he stated in his ruling that he does “believe they have done enough over the last 35 years to get that chance” for release. Family members testified that the brothers had turned their lives around in prison through education and other self-help groups in the lead-up to their resentencing, and Jesic also said he was “shocked” by the number of letters he received from corrections officers in support of the brothers.

Despite the media circus that has surrounded this case for over 30 years, the Los Angeles district attorney’s office wrote in a statement posted to social media that the court “was presented with all the facts before making such a consequential decision.” 

“This case, like all cases—especially those that captivate the public—must be viewed with a critical eye,” their statement continued. “Justice should never be swayed by spectacle.”