LOS ANGELES (AP) — Erik and Lyle Menendez’s resentencing hearing has been set for Dec. 11, when a judge will decide whether they will have a shot at freedom after spending 34 years behind bars for the shotgun killings of their parents in 1989 at their Beverly Hills home. The date was decided Wednesday by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic after prosecutors submitted a recommendation for the brothers' resentencing last week .
After an initial mistrial with a hung jury for each of the brothers, they were convicted of killing their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, and sentenced to life without parole in prison. The brothers’ attorneys never disputed the pair killed their parents, but argued that they acted out of self-defense after years of emotional and sexual abuse by their father. Much of the evidence related to abuse was excluded from their second trial.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said his office would recommend the brothers be given a sentence of 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for parole since they were under the age of 26 when the crime was committed. If the judge approves the resentencing, the brothers will still need a state parole board to grant their release. California Gov.
Gavin Newsom then has 150 days to review its decision. Gascón said he took several factors into consideration when making his recommendation, including the brothers’ rehabilitation in prison. In documents filed by.