Los Angeles D.A. George Gascón will seek a reduced sentence for Lyle and Erik Menendez , the brothers who murdered their parents, Jose and Kitty, in 1989.
Gascón’s office will ask a Los Angeles judge to lower their sentences from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life. If approved, the Menendez brothers would be eligible for parole immediately. At a press conference, Gascón said he had come to his decision after “careful review.
” “I came to a place, where I believe under the law resentencing is appropriate,” he said, noting they had taken steps to rehabilitate themselves in prison. “They have been in prison for nearly 35 years. I believe that they have paid their debt to society.
” Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, said at the press conference that she is “grateful” for Gascón’s leadership, and that the family is hopeful that the brothers get “the justice they deserve and finally come home.” A judge must still sign off on the D.A.
’s request, though the D.A.’s position will get considerable weight.
If the lower sentence is approved, the Menendez brothers would then have to go before the state Board of Parole Hearings to determine whether they are suitable for release. Gascón said that there was a dispute within his office about whether to seek resentencing, and that prosecutors from his office may wish to speak against it at a hearing. A status conference on the request must be scheduled within 30 days.
“It ca.