California judge resentences Menendez brothers to 50 years in prison, makes them eligible for parole

A California judge on Tuesday resentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to 50 years in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, which makes them eligible for parole.

The brothers were convicted of the Beverly Hills murders in 1996, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The men have argued the shooting was committed out of fear that their parents planned to kill them in order to keep them quiet about how their father, Jose Menendez, allegedly sexually abused Erik Menendez for years.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic said he does not believe the brothers pose an "unreasonable risk" if released, and sentenced them to 50 years. The sentence does not immediately free the brothers.

The ruling comes after several family members testified on the brothers' behalf, with one cousin stating the pair were "different men" now than they were at 18 and 21-years-old, per NBC News. Erik is 54-years-old now, and Lyle is 57.

The brothers also gave statements after the ruling, with Lyle Menendez admitting that he made a "mockery of the legal system" by asking people to perjure themselves on his behalf after his arrest, and made "no excuses" for killing his parents. 

"I committed an atrocious act against two people who had the right to live, my mom and dad," Lyle Menedez said. "Today, 35 years later, I am deeply ashamed of who I was."

Other people who testified on his and his brother's behalf were a retired judge who said he was "very pro-law enforcement," and a rapper who claimed the brothers helped him get released under California's youthful offender law.

The ruling now goes to the state’s parole board, which will determine if they are suitable for release.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.