The Menendez brothers have life sentences reduced in further step towards possible release from prison

Erik and Lyle Menendez have been resentenced after having served the last 35 years in prison, and it brings them a step closer to freedom.

The pair have both been serving life sentences for killing their mother and father. According to the Menendez brothers, whose case was brought back into the public conscience after Netflix’s Monsters: The Menendez Brothers, they killed their father Jose Menendez after he sexually abused them for years.

Erik and Lyle also claim they killed their mother Kitty due to her knowledge, and silence, regarding Jose’s abuse of them.

The pair's resentencing reduced their sentence down to a range between 50 years and life, meaning they could be considered for parole as soon as next month.

The pair apologised for their crimes, with Erik Menendez telling the court: "I had to stop being selfish and immature to really understand what my parents went though in those last moments."

Lyle Menendez issued an apology directly to his family, stating: "I lied to you and forced you into a spotlight of public humiliation."

In the hearing, the main matter discussed was the conduct of the two brothers within prison.

The pair have helped inmates with severe disabilities, completed educational courses, and have set up a green space ‘beautification’ project.

The pair had their sentences reduced from life to a range between 50 years and life, opening them up for the possibility of parole (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Several witnesses were called, including a retired Florida judge and former inmate, rapper Anerae "X-Raided" Brown, who credited the brothers with his release.

Both brothers will now be considered for a hearing with the California parole board, which have already been considering the pair due to a request from Governor Gavin Newsom

Newsom has also been considering issuing clemency requested by the brothers, which would take the form of a reduced sentence or even a pardon.

The resentencing hearing has been a contentious story due to the election of new District Attorney Nathan Hochman in November 2024.

Whilst previous DA George Gascón believed the brothers should be resentenced, Hochman has come out strongly against the idea.

The California DA has stated he is against resentencing due to his belief that the brothers have not acknowledged 16 ‘lies’.

This includes their claim in the first trial, which ended in a hung jury, that they killed their father in self defence.

The pair could be released soon as a result of this resentencing (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Hochman believes the killings were financially motivated and ‘cold-blooded’.

The lead up to today’s sentencing hearings was heated in part due to Hochman’s decision to show graphic crime scene images of Kitty and Jose’s bodies, something which the Menendez brothers’ attorney claims 'retraumatized’ their family.

This led to their aunt being hospitalised.