Menendez brothers could be released before Christmas after nearly 30 years in prison

Erik and Lyle Menendez could be released by Christmas, nearly three decades after being convicted for the murders of their wealthy parents in their Beverly Hills home.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a judge may allow the brothers to go free as early as Dec. 11.

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón recommended reducing the brothers' life sentences for the 1989 killings of their parents, citing new evidence, including a handwritten letter from Erik Menendez to his cousin before the murders, alleging sexual abuse by his father.

Following a meeting between the Menendez brothers' attorneys and Judge Michael V. Jesic of the LA County Superior Court, a December hearing was scheduled, where Jesic may reduce their conviction from first-degree murder to manslaughter, the LA Times reported.

If the sentence is reduced, the brothers could be immediately released, having already served more than three times the maximum sentence for manslaughter.

Their attorney, Mark Geragos, is also seeking clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom, aiming to have the brothers released before Thanksgiving, according to ABC 7.

In 1989, Erik and Lyle, sons of music executive José Menendez and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, purchased shotguns and fatally shot their parents while they were watching TV in their Beverly Hills mansion.

Before being arrested, the brothers spent extensively from their $14 million inheritance, buying luxury items, a sports car, Rolex watches, two restaurants for Lyle, and hiring a full-time tennis coach for Erik.

In court, they admitted to the killings, arguing it was in self-defense against years of abuse, including sexual abuse by their father.

In 2023, they requested a reduced sentence after new evidence surfaced regarding their father's history of sexual abuse, and public interest in the case was renewed by a 2024 Netflix documentary.

Several family members have shown support for the brothers’ release, calling for their freedom in a press conference held earlier this month, shortly after the DA shared an image of Erik's letter to his cousin, written years before the murders, claiming his father sexually abused him.