Decades Later: Menendez Brothers Face Potential

 Decades Later: Menendez Brothers Face Potential  Resentence

Thursday's developments in the case of the Menendez brothers have been decades in the making, coming 35 years after the two killed their parents. Here. LA District Attorney George Gascon announced he will recommend that Erik and Lyle Menendez are resentenced for the 1989 murders of their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez The final decision will then be left up to a judge on whether to resentence the brothers to life with the possibility of parole, down from a life sentence without the possibility of parole Gascon said his decision was based on his belief the two were "subjected to a tremendous amount of dysfunction in their home, and molestation" an have since "paid their debt to society" If the courts agree to the resentencing, Erik and Lyle Menendez could be immediately eligible for a hearing before a parole board - and then eventually released from prison Members of the Mendendez' family have argued for the brothers' release - though others say they are against it The decision comes just 12 days before Gascon is up for a tough re-election fight, in which polls suggest he may be far behind in voter support We are ending our live coverage of this case here, but you can read more about Thursday's announcement and what happens next, and more about the controversy surrounding the Netflix series about the family. Lawyer for Kitty Menendez's brother hits out at resentencing decision As we have reported, not everyone in the Menendez extended family supports the call to release Erik and Lyle Menendez. An attorney for the 90-year-old brother of Kitty Menendez - Erik and Lyle's mother, who they killed in 1989 - has said Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon has "ignored the rights" of Milton Andersen in his decision. By not notifying him of his decision to recommend the brothers be resentenced, Gascon has "disregarded the rights" of Andersen. Andersen, who "has already endured the unimaginable loss of his sister, Kitty Menendez, in a brutal double homicide", has been "left in the dark, forced to learn crucial updates about his sister's case through the media, rather than being treated with the dignity and respect he deserves", Andersen's lawyer Kathleen Cady said in a statement on Thursday, following the announcement. Cady blames Gascon's decision on "desperation" over his re-election campaign, rather than being a factual review of new evidence.