Prosecutors in Los Angeles County will seek the reconviction of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted in 1989 of murdering their parents, which could free the brothers after more than 30 years behind bars.
At a news conference on Thursday, LA District Attorney George Gascón said he will ask a court on Friday to “immediately” grant the brothers, who were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders, consideration. for early release.
A judge will then decide whether the brothers will be resentenced, released, given a lesser sentence or given a new trial.
The brothers were convicted in 1996 of shooting and killing their parents seven years earlier in their Beverly Hills mansion. Erik and Lyle, who were 18 and 21 years old respectively when the crime was committed, admitted to killing their parents but claimed they did so in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father and their mother’s indifference.
After a mistrial, prosecutors sought a second trial in which much of the sexual abuse evidence was disqualified. Prosecutors also accused the brothers of lying about the abuse. A jury ultimately found them guilty of first-degree murder.
The brothers have long tried to have their convictions overturned. Last year, their lawyers submitted new evidence regarding the brothers’ sexual abuse allegations. But their best chance for freedom came in recent months, after a hit Netflix series about their crimes renewed intense public interest in their case. The show was a hit, although Erik Menendez criticized the portrayal of the brothers’ relationship.
Gascón, who is up for re-election this year, announced in early October that his office would review the latest evidence provided by their lawyers.
This is a development story. Check back for updates.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
