Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, has announced that his office has officially put forward a court recommendation for a Mendendez brothers resentencing hearing.
The decision to recommend resentencing for the Menendez brothers, means Lyle and Erik Menendez could walk free within weeks, pending the outcome of the court hearing tomorrow, where their fate will be decided by a judge.
While Gascón has made it clear that his office had been considering the case in recent months, his final decision was only made just an hour before today’s press conference.
He went further to explain his reasoning for handing down the recommendation, citing the fact that he believed the brothers have served their time.
Speaking about Lyle and Erik Menendez’s history of good behaviour in prison, Gascón said: “It’s more unique, or less usual i guess, when people not only do that but they also begin to engage in ways to make life for others better.”
“In this case the brothers have been doing so for a very long time.”
He went on to say that the Menendez brothers resentencing would officially be put forward for consideration before a court and judge tomorrow.
“They have been in prison nearly 35 years I believe they have paid their debt to society,” Gascón stated during the press conference. “The system provides a vehicle for their case to be reviewed by a parole board, and then, if parole concurs with my assessment – and it will be their decision – then they will be released accordingly.”
“We certainly feel very sure not only that the brothers have rehabilitated and that they will be safe to be reintegrated into society, but that they have paid their dues.”
The filing will recommend that the 1996 sentencing of Lyle and Erik – to that of life without the possibility of parole – be changed to 50 years to life – with the possibility of parole.
Gascón went on to explain that laws pertaining to the age of the Menendez Brothers when they were originally sentenced – under 26 – would mean they would be eligible for parole immediately.