Prosecutors are reexamining the murder convictions of Lyle and Erik Menendez, with the focus shifting to their degree of culpability in killing their parents, not whether they committed the crime. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón stated that the question is how accountable they should be held given the circumstances. The brothers were convicted of murdering their parents but claimed self-defense due to their father’s alleged abuse. The case has gained renewed interest through documentaries, dramas, and increased awareness of sexual abuse victims. Prosecutors are reconsidering their life sentences without parole.
The case, which started in 1989 with the murder of the Menendez parents, has progressed through trials, retrials, and appeals over the years. New evidence, including allegations of sexual abuse, has prompted a call for a review of the brothers’ conviction and sentence. Netflix’s crime drama ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ has further fueled public interest.