Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic reduced the brothers’ sentences from life without 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. The state parole board must still decide whether to release them from prison.

A California judge ruled Tuesday that Erik and Lyle Menendez can be resentenced, clearing the way for the siblings to receive a lesser penalty for the 1989 shotgun murder of their parents.

A judge on Tuesday re-sentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to 50 years to life for the 1989 shotgun killings of their parents in Beverly Hills, making them eligible for parole after serving nearly 35 years.

A shock twist in the case of convicted killers Lyle and Erik Menendez was announced by Los Angeles prosecutors last night (13 May) amid the brothers' bid for resentencing - after which they issued an emotional statement.

On the first day of Erik and Lyle Menendez 's resentencing hearing Tuesday, their cousins, a former judge and a former fellow inmate took to the witness stand to testify that the brothers were not only rehabilitated but helped others.