Sentence Reduction for the Menéndez Brothers Opens the Door to Their Release

Sentence reduction for the Menéndez brothers.

Lyle and Erik Menéndez seek freedom.

Case revived in Netflix series.

A U.S. judge reduced the life sentence of brothers Lyle and Erik Menéndez on Wednesday. The two were convicted for the murder of their parents in 1989.

Judge Michael Jesic’s new decision opens the possibility of parole after more than 35 years behind bars.

The ruling modifies the original sentence—which had been life imprisonment without the possibility of parole—allowing the brothers to now request a hearing for conditional release.

The new sentence sets a range of 50 years to life in prison.

Sentence reduction for the Menéndez brothers

#Breaking | The Menéndez brothers are re-sentenced to 50 years in prison, instead of life without parole, for the murder of their parents, making them eligible for parole. pic.twitter.com/kwgoorwgxw
— NMás (@nmas) May 14, 2025

Judge Jesic stated during the hearing in Los Angeles that the brothers “have done enough” during their time in prison to deserve the chance to one day be released.

This decision is seen as a significant step in the legal process that has surrounded the Menéndez brothers for several decades.

Lyle Menéndez, the older brother, expressed his “deep shame” for the acts committed 35 years ago.

“I committed a horrific act against two people who had the right to live: my mother and my father,” he said visibly emotional at the end of the hearing.

Erik Menéndez takes full responsibility for the murder

The #Menéndez brothers are one step closer to freedom after a judge reduced their sentences from life without parole to 50 years. They are now eligible for parole under California’s juvenile offender law. pic.twitter.com/istvtqs00q
— Alex Roland (@AlexRolandC) May 14, 2025

Erik Menéndez took full responsibility for the crime, according to EFE and Infobae.

“I fired all five bullets at my parents and then went back to reload. I lied to the police. I lied to my family. I am truly sorry,” he said in an emotional testimony.

This development is the result of years of effort by the Menéndez family to secure the brothers’ release.

Anamaria Beralt, a cousin of the defendants and an active advocate for their cause, highlighted how “moving” Lyle and Erik’s words were, expressing her satisfaction that the public was able to hear their remorse.

Do they have public support?

The Menéndez case gained renewed public attention thanks to the successful Netflix series Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menéndez.

The series, along with a subsequent documentary, has offered a new perspective on the case—generating debate about the nature of the crime and the brothers’ treatment during their trial.

The brothers were convicted after two trials for the murder of their parents, Kitty and José Menéndez, which took place on August 20, 1989, in their Beverly Hills home.

Despite allegations of sexual abuse by their father, the brothers were found guilty—fueling debate over the validity of their defense.

The recent reduction of their sentence reflects a shift in public and judicial perception of a case that continues to stir controversy and reflection.

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