Two brothers who were convicted of killing their parents and featured in Netflix shows could be freed early after 34 years behind bars.
Lyle Menendez, 56, and his 53-year-old brother Erik are serving life in prison without parole for the shotgun murders of their father and mother – Jose and Kitty Menendez – in 1989.
They were jailed after a trial in 1996 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18.
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 recommend that their life sentences be removed and replaced with a sentence of 50 years to life, but that they would be eligible for parole because they were under 26 years old at the time of the murders.
“I believe they have paid their debt to society,” Mr Gascon said.
Prosecutors must now seek court approval, with the final decision falling to the judge.
The Menendez case was thrust back into the limelight after Monsters, a Netflix drama telling of their story, and a documentary were recently released.
Earlier this month, Mr Gascon said there was no question the brothers committed the murders, but his office would be reviewing new evidence and will make a decision on whether the resentencing is warranted.
Mr Gascon said the new evidence allegedly corroborates claims that Erik Menendez was sexually abused by his father, who was a music executive.
Extended family members of the brothers have also united to call for their release, with Anamaria Baralt – niece of Jose Menendez – announcing at a news conference in Los Angeles that relatives had formed a “new coalition” called Justice for Erik and Lyle.
The Menendez brothers claim they killed their parents in self-defence after enduring a lifetime of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from them.
Their lawyers argue because of society’s changing views on sexual abuse, if tried today the brothers may not have been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Prosecutors at the time contended there was no evidence of any molestation and said the brothers were after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.