Judge paves the way for the Menéndez brothers' parole in the U.S.

A judge in the state of California reduced the life sentence of brothers Lyle and Erik Menéndez this Tuesday, opening the possibility for them to seek parole more than three decades after being convicted of murdering their parents in 1989.

The decision by Judge Michael Jesic modifies the original sentence from life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to a new sentence of between 50 years and life imprisonment. According to EFE, the measure does not guarantee their immediate release, but it does allow the brothers, who have been incarcerated for over 35 years, to request a hearing for a potential provisional release.

"I believe they have done enough in these 35 years for them to have the opportunity to be released someday," Jesic stated during the hearing in Los Angeles. Lyle, the eldest, expressed his "deep shame" for his past behavior, while Erik admitted to being the one who fired the shots and showed remorse: "I lied to the police. I lied to my family. I'm truly sorry."

The hearing represents a key step in the efforts that for years have been undertaken by family members and advocates of the Menéndez brothers to overturn their conviction. Anamaria Beralt, the cousins of the brothers, described their statements as "very moving."

The highly publicized Menéndez case regained public relevance following the release on Netflix of the series 'Monstruos: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menéndez', which has generated renewed interest in the events.

Documentaries and social media campaigns have also emerged, questioning the treatment they received in the courts and highlighting the allegations of sexual abuse that both claimed to have suffered at the hands of their father, José Menéndez, a Cuban businessman who was an executive at RCA Records.

The double homicide occurred on August 20, 1989, at the luxurious family residence in Beverly Hills. Although the young men initially claimed to have found the bodies upon returning home, their lavish lifestyle after the crime fueled suspicions and led to their trial.