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.
In 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez, aged 18 and 21 at the time, bought two shotguns with cash and used them to brutally kill their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills residence. Initially, investigators suspected the mafia’s involvement in the murders.
However, a break in the case occurred in 1990 when Erik Menendez confessed to a therapist.
After the brothers were resentenced, Judge Michael Jesic expressed that he had thoroughly pondered over the case, acknowledging the heinous nature of the crime they had committed.
Still, he noted that he was impressed by the brothers’ behavior in prison, People magazine reports.
Judge Jesic stated, “Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole offers no hope, no incentive to strive for anything good. I commend them for their efforts. It is truly remarkable what they have achieved without any hope of release.”
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[Feature Photo: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP
