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Eric and Lyle Menendez will appear in front of a judge Monday for their first public appearance in nearly 30 years in what could be a key step to them finally walking free.
The brothers, currently serving life without the possibility of parole, are scheduled for a status hearing to consider new evidence that the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion followed horrific sexual abuse by their dad.
The high-profile killers are set to appear before Judge Michael Jesic at 1:30 p.m. ET. The judge has yet to rule on whether they will appear in person or virtually from prison.
Before his recent election loss, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón recommended reducing the brothers’ sentences to 50 years to life, which would make them eligible for parole given that they have served so long already.
The brothers’ lawyers will also ask the court to downgrade their sentences from first-degree murder to manslaughter — a crime for which they have already served three times the maximum sentence.
Seats to view the hearing will be difficult to grab. The Los Angeles County Superior Court announced they will hold a public lottery to determine who lands any of the 16 seats put aside for the general public during the hearing.
The brothers were last seen in court in 1996 during the second trial for the fatal shooting of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in the family’s Beverly Hills mansion in 1989.
Eric, then 18, and Lyle, then 21, were accused of buying shotguns and firing multiple rounds at Jose and Kitty Menendez as they sat down for an evening of TV.
Their first trial — which made the Menendez brothers household names — ended in a deadlocked jury. But they were found guilty in a retrial and sentenced to life without parole.
Before the brothers were charged in double slaying they went on a shopping spree with their $14 million inheritance, buying luxe trips, a sports car, and Rolex watches.
In the courtroom, the pair admitted to the killings but claimed they were committed in self-defense for a lifetime of abuse, including sexual abuse by their father.
The brothers’ attorneys are presenting new evidence including allegations from Roy Rosselló, a former member of the boy band Menudo, that he was raped by the brothers’ dad, Jose, a wealthy music executive.
They also want to present a letter Eric wrote to his cousin 8 months before the murders, detailing his dad’s alleged abuse.
The brothers’ plight took renewed interest with a recent Netflix documentary about the case, and supporters have gathered outside the courthouse to support family members calling for their release.
The Menendez brothers’ lawyer, Mark Geragos, has also sought clemency from Gov. Gavin Newsom, which would let them walk free almost immediately.
However, Newsom has delayed a clemency decision until newly-elected LA District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, can review the case.
A hearing for Eric and Lyle’s resentencing is scheduled for December 11.
