Erik and Lyle Menendez could walk free from prison after their next parole hearing was provisionally brought forward.

The pair, 55 and 58 respectively, were handed life sentences after they were found guilty of killing their parents in 1989.

But the brothers have now been granted an early parole suitability hearing tentatively scheduled for March 2027, TMZ reports.

They were previously told they would only be able to apply for another hearing in August 2028 after the California Board of Parole denied their requests for early release last year.

But the board has since ruled that they qualify for a hearing under a provision of Proposition 9.

This 2008 law allows a person’s next parole hearing date to be brought forward in the event of a change in circumstances, or if new information comes to light indicating they may be suitable.

It is unclear whether the board has uncovered any new information regarding the Menendez brothers’ case, but family members have claimed Erik and Lyle have been model prisoners for the duration of their 37-year sentence.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the family said: ‘For almost 40 years, Erik and Lyle have worked to take responsibility for their actions, confront and heal from the unimaginable abuse and trauma they endured, grow as individuals and dedicate themselves to serving others.

‘Through efforts such as helping to establish a hospice program and creating Green Space, they have sought to build an environment that reminds people serving life sentences that their lives still have meaning and that, regardless of their circumstances, they can choose each day to grow, heal, accept accountability and contribute something of value to the world around them.

‘Erik and Lyle were once sentenced to life without the possibility of parole,’ the family added. 

‘We will always be profoundly grateful that they have been resentenced and that our family can now imagine a future in which they are once again part of our everyday lives.’

Erik and Lyle were just 18 and 21 when they were arrested for shooting their parents, Kitty and Jose, while the couple watched a film at their home in Beverly Hills.

Prosecutors claimed the pair – set to inherit a total of $14,000,000 from their parents – had acted out of greed.

The brothers went on to spend large sums of money following the murders – Erik bought a Jeep and hired a private tennis instructor, while his brother splashed out on a Porsche and a restaurant.

Both were also spotted sitting courtside at an NBA game after the murders but prior to their arrest.

However, the brothers insist their father had sexually abused them for years, while their mother ignored it.

The trial initially ended with a hung jury, but a second trial in 1996 in which the judge refused to allow any evidence about the brothers being molested by their father saw the pair convicted.

Initially, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

But nearly 30 years after they were initially jailed, their sentences were reduced to 50 years to life, making them eligible for release.

The brothers made a bid for freedom last year, which was denied after the California Board of Parole found they had both violated prison rules.

‘Contrary to your supporters’ beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner, and frankly we find that a little disturbing,’ the board reportedly told Erik at his hearing.

At his brother’s hearing days later, Parole Commissioner Julie Garland accused him of ‘deception, minimisation and rule-breaking’ despite carrying out volunteer work and taking part in education during his time in prison.

Ms Garland told Lyle the decision ‘wasn’t the end,’ adding: ‘It’s a way for you to spend some time to demonstrate, to practice what you preach about who you are, who you want to be. Don’t be somebody different behind closed doors.’

Comment now
Comments

Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source