The Menendez Brothers Could Be Resentenced. Right here’s What to Know.

After a number of hearings, postponements and delays, Lyle and Erik Menendez might lastly be resentenced this week and transfer a step nearer to freedom.

The brothers, who killed their mother and father greater than 35 years in the past, appeared on a video display in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday. Their attorneys argue that they need to obtain a lighter sentence for his or her crimes.

On the listening to, three cousins of the brothers testified to argue that they’ve been rehabilitated and now not pose a threat to public security.

The brothers themselves might also make statements through the listening to, which was anticipated to final not less than via Wednesday.

The choose, Michael V. Jesic of Los Angeles Superior Court docket, might want to determine whether or not to impose a brand new sentence. If he reduces the brothers’ sentence to life with the potential for parole, that may make them eligible to go earlier than a parole board. (A parole listening to has already been scheduled for subsequent month, beneath a separate clemency course of.) The choose might additionally scale back the homicide conviction to manslaughter and permit the brothers to be launched instantly. Or he might reject a brand new sentence altogether.

The brand new Los Angeles County district legal professional, Nathan J. Hochman, who was elected on guarantees to take a more durable line on crime, has argued towards a lighter sentence. Decide Jesic has already rejected a number of requests by Mr. Hochman to withdraw a resentencing petition put ahead by Mr. Hochman’s predecessor.