Context:

Lyle and Erik Menendez have been resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, opening a path for their potential release after more than 30 years in prison for the murder of their parents. Judge Michael V. Jesic noted the brothers' positive transformation in prison and the support from corrections officials, which influenced his decision, though he did not advocate for their immediate release. The brothers are now eligible for parole, with a hearing set for June 13, amid Governor Gavin Newsom's consideration of clemency. Their case, which captivated the public in the 1990s, involved claims of sexual abuse by their father, which they argued led to the murders. Despite their convictions and decades in prison, the brothers have gained a following among younger generations who sympathize with their situation and believe they were wronged by the justice system and media portrayal.

Dive Deeper:

• Lyle and Erik Menendez were resentenced to life with the possibility of parole, a significant shift in their decades-long legal battle following their conviction for the 1989 murder of their parents in Beverly Hills.

• Judge Michael V. Jesic's decision was influenced by the brothers' rehabilitation efforts in prison, as they participated in educational and self-help programs, alongside numerous letters of support from corrections officials.

• While the resentencing allows immediate parole eligibility, the decision on their release now falls to Governor Gavin Newsom and the state parole board, with a parole hearing scheduled for June 13 as part of the clemency process.

• The brothers' original trial was marked by intense media scrutiny and public fascination, paralleling other high-profile cases of the era, such as O.J. Simpson's, and included allegations of sexual abuse by their father, which they claimed motivated the killings.

• Over the years, Lyle and Erik Menendez have become cultural figures, especially among younger audiences who view them as victims of an unjust legal system, amplified by modern retellings of their story through docudramas and documentaries.

• The Los Angeles district attorney's office has opposed the resentencing, arguing that the brothers have not shown full insight into their crimes, maintaining that their self-defense claims were fabricated.

• During the resentencing, both brothers took responsibility for their actions and expressed remorse, reflecting on their state of mind at the time of the murders and acknowledging their past attempts to mislead the legal process.