A family member of Erik and Lyle Menendez has expressed cautious optimism that the brothers could be released from prison as early as this summer. The statement follows a recent court decision that has opened a path to potential parole.
During a resentencing hearing last month, a Los Angeles County judge ruled to modify the brothers’ sentences to 50 years to life, making them eligible for a parole board review. The judge noted that while the crime was “absolutely horrible,” he believed the decades served warranted a chance for future release.
A cousin of the Menendez brothers, who spoke at the hearing, described the pair as having “incredible patience” and indicated that the wider family feels 35 years of incarceration is sufficient. She stated that both sides of the family have extended forgiveness and believe the men are fundamentally changed from who they were over three decades ago.
The legal argument for the brothers has long centered on claims that they acted out of fear, alleging years of abuse by their father. Their defense contended this history should be a mitigating factor in their sentencing.
However, not all parties agree with the move toward release. Prosecutors have argued against parole, stating that the brothers have not been fully truthful about the 1989 murders of their parents and have shown a lack of complete insight into their actions.
The final decision now rests with the parole board, which will determine if the brothers meet the criteria for release. The family’s hope for a summer resolution represents a best-case scenario, though no formal timeline for the board’s review has been set.
