Judge Rules Lyle and Erik Menendez Eligible for Resentencing, Opening Path to Parole

A California judge has ruled that Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, can be resentenced — potentially reducing their punishment to 50 years to life in prison. This makes the brothers eligible for parole.

The Menendez brothers, who were originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, gained renewed public interest in recent years due to documentaries and a surge of online advocacy arguing that their case should be reconsidered in light of alleged abuse and new legal standards.

The resentencing decision does not guarantee parole but allows the brothers to appear before a parole board in the future. Legal experts say the ruling reflects changes in California law around juvenile offenders and long-term incarceration.

The next steps in the case will determine whether either brother could one day walk free after more than three decades behind bars.