The Menendez Brothers Are Eligible For Parole – So What Happens Now?

Ryan Murphy made them human (despite also calling them ‘monsters’), Netflix made them famous (30 years after commiting their crimes), and now a reduced sentence has made them eligible for parole.

Yes, the Menendez Brothers could actually be released from prison – and it may all be thanks to a TV show.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dropped on Netflix last year, and has since led to renewed interest in a double murder that happened over 30 years ago.

In 1996, the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of their parents, Kitty and Jose, following years of sexual abuse.

Over all, they have spent upwards of 30 years in prison, time they have spent engaging in multiple educational programmes, as well as improving the lives of the inmates around them.

Last week, Erik and Lyle were informed that their sentences had been reduced to 50 years with the possibility of parole.

Erik told the court that he and his brother were deeply sorry for their actions, and that they had had ample time to reflect on their crimes.

“I had to stop being selfish and immature to really understand what my parents went though in those last moments,” he said.

Lyle added that their actions were “unfathomable”, and that if given the chance, they want to give back to the community and work with other sex abuse victims, in and outside of prison.

The brothers’ relatives also expressed their relief that their sentences had been reduced, and pleaded with the judge to approve their release.

So, what happens now? Well, apparently the brothers could be released as early as June.

Next, their case will go before the California Parole Board, and they will decide whether the brothers have been rehabilitated enough to return to society.

The board had already been considering an appeal put forward by Governor Gavin Newsom regarding clemency, which if approved could lead to a pardon.

The governor has also asked for a risk assessment to be carried out on the brothers, to determine whether they pose any danger to the general public.

An initial hearing is set to take place on June 13. The Parole Board then has up to 120 days to make a decision, so depending on the outcome, the brothers could be free within the month.

Erik and Lyle were aged 18 and 21 when they killed their parents. They are now 54 and 57 years old, respectively.

Following the news that their sentence had been reduced, Erik said: “I am touched and humbled by the outpouring of support.

“This has to be the first step in giving people who have no hope in prison some hope. My goal is to ensure there are no more people spending 35 years in prison without hope.

“That possibility of having hope that rehabilitation works is more important than anything that happened to me today.”