Lyle and Erik Menendez should be resentenced over murder of parents, prosecutor says

Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents and were jailed for life without parole after a trial in 1996

Lyle and Erik Menendez could be resentenced over the murder of their parents.

The two brothers, who are now 56 and 53 respectively, are serving a life sentence without parole for the shotgun murders of their father and mother - Jose and Kitty Menendez - in 1989. Lyle and Erik were sent to prison after a trial in 1996 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 years old. They both claimed they killed their parents in self-defence after suffering from years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse from them.

Speaking about a resentencing today, 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 make that recommendation to a judge and added there wasn't a total agreement within his office about what should happen.

He explained his decision was made after a "very careful review." LA DA Gascon says the brothers could be eligible for parole immediately if a judge takes up the recommendation.

"I believe the brothers were subject to a tremendous amount of dysfunction in their home and molestation", he said. "I believe they have paid their debt to society." However, Gascon says the "final decision will be made by a judge."

Jose Menendez's niece, AnaMaria Baralt, also spoke about the brothers, saying that "we stand united in our hope and gratitude that Erik and Lyle receive the justice they deserve and finally come home". The brothers were catapulted back into the spotlight when Ryan Murphy's series Monster was released on Netflix.

Monster: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story recounted the events of when Jose and Kitty Menendez were shot to death by their sons in 1989. It also followed the events of the subsequent murder trials during which the siblings were eventually found guilty of murder. This includes the siblings testifying that they were sexually abused by their father, feared for their lives and as a result, killed him and their mother.

An episode of the controversial series was dedicated to Cooper Koch as Erik detailing the horrific abuse he endured from his father. This includeed Erik claiming he began to eat lemon with all his food to make it 'taste better' when his father would assault him.

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