Erik and Lyle Menendez, the brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents in the 1990s, may be very close to being released. According to TMZ's sources, a crucial court hearing will be held on December 11, where a judge could rule on their immediate release, just days before the holidays.
The new judge in the case, Michael V. Jesic, is expected to consider a request by lawyers for Erik and Lyle to change the charge from murder to manslaughter. If the plea is granted, the Menendez brothers will be released immediately, having already served three times the maximum sentence for such a charge.
Other paths to freedom for the Menendez brothers
In addition to changing the charge, there are two other ways that could lead to their release. One of them was launched by Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón. He has asked the judge to overturn the life sentence without the possibility of parole and replace it with a sentence of 50 years to life, which means an immediate possibility of applying for parole. In this scenario, the brothers' freedom would depend on the parole board's decision, a process that could take up to 6 months.
A final option for the Menendez brothers is to request a pardon from California governor Gavin Newsom. Their attorney, Mark Geragos, is preparing a clemency petition, asking Newsom to commute their sentences and release them.
According to TMZ's sources, there is a good chance that the process will be concluded quickly and that the brothers will be home for the holidays. However, there is also the possibility that the judge will take time to consider the case, postponing this decision a little. So far, efforts for their freedom have picked up pace, and it remains to be seen whether this famous case will end in a homecoming for Erik and Lyle Menendez, after more than three decades in prison.
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