A judge has ruled that the Menendez brothers, convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, will be resentenced to 50 years to life in prison.
The decision makes the brothers eligible for parole and could potentially pave the way for them to be released, according to ABC News.
As previously reported by CrimeOnline, in 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were 18 and 21 years old at the time, bought two shotguns with cash and used them to murder their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills residence. Initially, investigators thought the killings were orchestrated by the mafia.
However, a break in the case occurred in 1990 when Erik Menendez confessed to a therapist.
Upon resentencing the siblings, Judge Michael Jesic noted that he had given the case considerable thought, acknowledging that they had perpetrated an “absolutely horrific crime.”
Still, he noted that he was impressed by the brothers’ behavior in prison, People magazine reports.
“A life sentence without parole leaves an inmate without hope or a motivation to improve,” Jesic commented. “I commend them for what they have accomplished despite having no hope of release. It’s truly remarkable.”
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP
