Lyle and Erik Menendez should be resentenced over murder of parents, prosecutor says

Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents and were jailed for life without parole after a trial in 1996

Lyle and Erik Menendez could be resentenced over the murder of their parents.

The two brothers, who are now 56 and 53 respectively, are serving a life sentence without parole in prison for the shotgun murders of their father and mother - Jose and Kitty Menendez - in 1989. Lyle and Erik were sent to prison after a trial in 1996 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 years old.

Speaking about a resentencing today, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said: "Under the law, resentencing is appropriate. I'm going to recommend that to a court tomorrow." He said he would make that recommendation to a judge and added there wasn't a total agreement within his office about what should happen.

He explained his decision was made after a "very careful review." LA DA Gascon says the brothers could be eligible for parole immediately if a judge takes up the recommendation.

"I believe the brothers were subject to a tremendous amount of dysfunction in their home and molestation", he said and added there is still no excuse for murder. "I believe they have paid their debt to society." However, Gascon says the "final decision will be made by a judge."

Jose Menendez's niece, AnnaMaria Baralt, also spoke about the brothers, saying that "we stand united in our hope and gratitude that Erik and Lyle receive the justice they deserve and finally come home". The brothers were catapulted back into the spotlight when Ryan Murphy's series Monsters was released on Netflix.

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