Erik and Lyle Menendez will have a new shot in freedom after spending 35 years behind bars for murdering his parents, the judge ruled on Tuesday.
Supreme Court judge Los Angeles Michael Jesic reduced the brothers' sentences from life without a conditional release to 50 years.
“I'm not saying that they should be released, it is not to decide for me,” said Jesic. “I believe that they have done enough in the last 35 years that they should have such a chance.”
Now they qualify for a conditional dismissal under the youthful law, because they were less than 26 years old when they committed a crime. The State Council for Conditional Slows must still decide whether to release them from prison.
The brothers did not show any visible emotions during most testimonies that appeared through live video.
“I killed my mother and dad. I did not pronounce, and there is no justification,” said Lyle Menendez in a statement to court. “The impact of my violent actions on my family … is unfathomable.”
Erik Menendez also talked about taking responsibility for his actions and apologizing to his family. “You didn't deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better,” he said.
“Redemption is possible”: defense lawyer
The brothers were The deposit was refused in 1990 After arrest for the murder of their father, Jose Menendez in 1989, Kitty Menendez at their home in Beverly Hills. Later they were convicted of first -degree murder In 1996, and then they were doomed to live without the possibility of conditional dismissal. During the killings, Erik was 18 years old and Lyle was 21 years old.
While lawyers' lawyers argued that the brothers acted from self -defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for the heritage of many millions of dollars.
The case has attracted public attention for decades. Proponents of the brothers have arrived from all over the country to participate in rallies and interrogations over the past few months.
“I just know that on the day the redemption is possible today,” said lawyer Mark Geragos. “The fact is that the Menendez brothers have done an extraordinary job. Today is a great day after 35 years.”
“We've evolved,” said Geragos. “This is not the 90s anymore. We have a more solid understanding of many things.”
The prosecutors of Los Angeles argued against the again. They said the brothers did not take full responsibility for the crime. “They were not clean” about their crimes, said Nathan Hochman, District Prosecutor in Los Angeles.
Geragos emphasized that the purpose of the scene is “encouraging rehabilitation.”
“This is the law,” said Geragos, “do not religitors the facts of the crime, as he wants to do.”