Erik and Lyle Menendez given 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole and giving them chance at freedom

A California judge has given Erik and Lyle Menendez, who had been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills home, a chance at freedom after 35 years behind bars.

Judge Michael Jesic shortened the brothers’ sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life. They’re now eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law because they committed the crime under the age of 26. They would still need approval from the state’s parole board to be released.

Brothers had hoped resentencing hearing would pave way for immediate release – but judge orders pause until May

The Menendez brothers have spent years waiting for another day in court and a chance to prove that they should be freed after serving more than three decades in prison for the 1989 slayings of their parents.

This week it appeared their time was perhaps finally coming – a judge was set to review their request for a resentencing and determine whether they have been rehabilitated. Their attorney, Mark Geragos, planned to ask the Los Angeles county judge Michael Jesic to reduce Erik and Lyle Menendez’s charges to manslaughter, which would allow them to be released from prison immediately.