Erik and Lyle Menendez, who have spent 34 years in prison for the shotgun killings of their parents in 1989, will have a resentencing hearing on Dec. 11. The brothers were convicted of killing their parents and sentenced to life without parole after an initial mistrial. Prosecutors recommended a resentencing, suggesting a 50-year to life sentence, making the brothers immediately eligible for parole due to their age at the time of the crime.
The brothers' attorneys argued that they acted in self-defense after enduring years of emotional and sexual abuse by their father. However, much of the abuse evidence was excluded from their second trial. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón considered factors such as the brothers' rehabilitation in prison, educational achievements, and contributions to the community when making his recommendation.
