Menendez Brothers Seek Freedom After Decades in Prison for Murder of Parents

The brothers, Erik and Lyle, 54 and 57 respectively, have been serving their sentences for the 1989 murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The resentencing hearing, which took place on Tuesday, is expected to last two days and will determine whether the brothers will be eligible for parole. The brothers' defense attorneys argue that they killed their parents in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, but prosecutors believe they were motivated by a desire for their multimillion-dollar inheritance.

Key Takeaways:

• The brothers, Erik and Lyle, have been serving their sentences for nearly three decades and are now seeking freedom through resentencing.
• The defense attorneys argue that the brothers were abused by their father and killed their parents in self-defense, while prosecutors believe they were motivated by a desire for their inheritance.
• The resentencing hearing will center on whether the brothers have been rehabilitated in prison and deserve a lesser sentence of 50 years to life, which would make them eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law.
• The brothers have earned college degrees and served as mentors and caregivers in prison, with one defense attorney, Mark Geragos, planning to ask Judge Michael Jesic to reduce their charges to manslaughter.
• The extended Menendez family, with the exception of an uncle who recently died, have forgiven the brothers and want them to be freed.
• Los Angeles County prosecutors are opposed to resentencing, citing the brothers' lack of complete responsibility for the crime and their inability to regulate their behavior.
• Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón had recommended the brothers' resentencing, citing their rehabilitation and the abuse they suffered at the hands of their father.

Statistics:

• 1989: The year the Menendez brothers killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
• 1996: The year the brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
• 50 years to life: The proposed sentence that would make the brothers eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law.
• 2 days: The length of the resentencing hearing, which is expected to include testimony from at least seven family members and a forensic psychologist's analysis of the brothers' behavior.
• 15 times: The number of times a cousin, Anamaria Baralt, has appeared in court on behalf of the brothers over the years.

Sources:

• This article was written by Dani Anguiano and agencies.
• Los Angeles Times
• People Magazine
• Associated Press