### LA District Attorney Advocates for Menendez Brothers’ Parole Eligibility

The Los Angeles County District Attorney has taken a significant step by recommending that Lyle and Erik Menendez should be considered for parole immediately. District Attorney George Gascón announced that a court filing has been made to amend the brothers' sentences from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life for murder.

Gascón’s recommendation came during a Thursday news conference where he explained that due to the Menendez brothers’ ages at the time of the crime, they would now be eligible for parole immediately under the proposed sentence change. Both Lyle and Erik were under 26 when they committed the crimes in 1989, making them subject to different parole eligibility rules today.

The final decision on resentencing the Menendez brothers rests with a judge, and the parole board also needs to grant approval. Gascón expressed a desire to have a court hearing within the next 30 to 45 days. However, Mark Geragos, the brothers' attorney, hopes for an even quicker timeline, aiming to have them released by Thanksgiving. According to the California Department of Corrections, the parole process will require at least six months due to mandatory notice provisions and other procedural requirements.

The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home. At the time of the murders, Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18. Although the brothers claimed they acted in self-defense after years of enduring sexual abuse by their father, the prosecution argued the motive was financial gain.

Recently, new evidence has emerged, adding weight to the allegations made by the Menendez brothers. This includes accusations from a former member of the boy band Menudo who claimed he was molested by Jose Menendez, and a letter Erik wrote to a cousin detailing the abuse eight months before the murders. While Erik had mentioned the abuse during the trial, this letter surfaced only recently and could corroborate his claims.

Several family members have voiced strong support for the brothers' release, with nearly two dozen relatives advocating for their resentencing. Cousins Karen VanderMolen, Natascha Leonardo, and Tamara Goodell have all expressed optimism and support for the brothers, emphasizing the new understanding and awareness of male sexual abuse.

Conversely, not all family members are in favor of their release. Milton Andersen, an uncle, remains firm in his belief that the Menendez brothers were motivated by greed rather than abuse and insists that the original jury's verdict was just.

In prison, both Lyle and Erik have made notable positive contributions. Lyle has earned a college degree, while Erik provides hospice care to fellow inmates. Geragos highlights these actions as evidence of the brothers’ rehabilitation and potential to continue contributing positively to society if released.