Menendez Brothers React To Parole Eligibility After 35 Years In Prison

In a sensational twist that has thrust one of America's most notorious murder cases back into the public imagination, two brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, have been offered a flicker of hope following a lifetime spent in prison. On May 13, the Menendez brothers were resentenced from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life, meaning they could seek parole for the first time since being sentenced.

This historic change follows decades of legal challenges, public attention, and soul-searching from the brothers convicted in the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. In Los Angeles County Superior Court, where the men were resentenced, each expressed deep regret and accepted full responsibility for their roles at that time.

Lyle Menendez, 57, wept as he stood in court and admitted the heft of his crimes. "I killed my mom and dad," he confessed matter-of-factly. "I make no excuses. I take full responsibility." Speaking by phone over the noise of the prison, his voice cracking with emotion, Lancaster said that the murders were a result of emotional turmoil that he had never fully confronted and his inability to get help. "I was scared," he confessed. "But I was also filled with rage," Lyle said he would have been put off the violent course of action had he sought professional help. He also expressed his guilt by saying, "35 years later, I am deeply ashamed of who I was."

The court's move to resent the brothers is part of a wave of changes to how the criminal justice system treats juvenile and young adult offenders. Lyle was 21 years old, and Erik was 18 at the time of the crime. Advocates have long said young adults should be given a chance at rehabilitation, especially in cases of alleged abuse. Erik Menendez, 54, agreed he takes "full responsibility" for the killings. On the virtual link, Erik had the most evident signs of remorse as he took credit for not only the murders but the calculated over-up of the crime. "I did everything I could to get away with the crime," he said. "I am directly responsible for it all."

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He said he was grieved for the profound emotional toll his crimes took on the broader Menendez family, causing an overwhelming sadness that has never diminished. Looking regretful, Erik also told how the slaying should not have occurred and yearned to one day do something positive if that is ever possible. The court's decision does not ensure the brothers' release but simply means they can be considered for parole. Both men still need to appear before a parole board and prove their rehabilitation and fitness to be returned to society. But the resentencing represents a significant turn in their long legal saga.

The brothers' crimes horrified the nation and made their trial in the 1990s national news, but their case has gained a new wave of attention in the past few years as younger generations learn about the story through documentaries and social media. Some wondered if their assault was the product of years of abuse, while others suspect cold-blooded greed, a debate that bitterly divides public opinion.

However, the Menendez brothers in court appeared less concerned with public perception and more concerned with personal accountability. Lyle ended his statement with a solemn promise that if he's ever released, he will spend the rest of his life working with those struggling in the incarcerated community. He said, "I made a promise I would never use violence to solve a problem." As parole becomes possible, whether the Menendez brothers have changed and whether they deserve a second chance from society hangs in the air. Only time and the parole board will tell.