Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón plans to ask the court Oct. 25 to change the prison sentences of convicted killers Erik and Lyle Menendez, allowing them to be set free after nearly 35 years.

The brothers were convicted of killing their parents at their Beverly Hills home in 1989. They were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 1996.

A recent documentary released on Netflix, “The Menendez Brothers” released by Campfire Studios, featured the brothers and prompting a flood of calls to Gascón’s office from members of the public seeking their release, he told reporters at a press conference Thursday.

The film takes a deep look into the alleged sexual abuse and molestation the Menendez brothers endured at home.

The district attorney planned to file a resentencing request in late November but moved the request up to Friday following the public outcry, according to Gascón.

The Menendez brothers, who are now 53 and 56 years old, have spent their prison time obtaining an education and helping other prisoners. They remain behind bars at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.

Their good behavior, and society’s change of perspective about sexual abuse victims, compelled the district attorney to seek a change in their sentences.

“Even though they didn’t think they would ever be let free, they engaged in a different journey—a journey of redemption and rehabilitation,” Gascón said. “I believe that they have paid their debt to society and the system provides a vehicle for their case to be reviewed by a parole board.”

If the judge agrees to change the sentences and a parole board decides in favor of release, the brothers could soon leave prison.

“They will be eligible for parole immediately,” Gascón said.

Several generations of the brothers’ family members have pleaded for their release from prison, including the brothers’ aunt, Joan Andersen VanderMolen.

The family held a news conference in downtown Los Angeles Oct. 16, pleading for the brothers to be set free from prison.

Erik Menendez (L) and Lyle Menendez (R). (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)

VanderMolen, 92, said most of the family did not know about the extent of the alleged abuse.

“It was a nightmare none of us could have imagined, but as details of Lyle and Erik’s abuse came to light, it became clear that their actions, while tragic, were the desperate response of two boys trying to survive the unspeakable [cruelty] of their father,” she told a throng of reporters gathered for the news conference. “As their aunt, I had no idea of the extent of the abuse they suffered at the hands of my brother-in-law. None of us did.”

Lyle Menendez was 21 and Erik Menendez was 18 at the time of the murders. The two admitted they shot their father, Jose Menendez, an entertainment executive, and their mother Kitty Menendez.

The brothers were tried twice. The first ended in a hung jury, with half of the jury favoring a manslaughter conviction. They were retried in 1995, and much of the testimony centered on alleged sexual abuse by their father.

During their trial, the brothers said they feared they were about to be killed by their parents to prevent the public disclosure of the father’s molestation of Erik.

They have repeatedly appealed their convictions. Court papers filed by defense attorneys last year included additional evidence of Erik Menendez’s molestation. He was 13 at the time.

The resentencing is not meant to excuse the murders, said Gascón.

Kitty Menendez's sister, Joan Andersen VanderMolen, bottom left, and niece Karen VanderMolen, right, sit together during a press conference to announce developments on the case of brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez, in Los Angeles on Oct. 16, 2024. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

“There is no excuse for murder, and I will never imply what we’re doing here is to excuse their behavior,” he said. “I understand sometimes people get desperate. We often see women be battered for years and sometimes murder their abuser out of desperation.”

The amount of molestation in the Menendez home and their young age would have brought a lesser sentence if tried today, he claimed.

The Menendez brothers’ case isn’t the first case Gascón has sought to have resentenced.

The district attorney said Thursday his office had resentenced more than 300 people since he took office in 2020, including 28 murderers. Only four have reoffended, according to Gascón.

Gascón is polling behind in his bid for reelection against former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Nathan Hochman. Many residents have voiced disappointment with his progressive policies that have eased criminal sentences.

City News Service contributed to this report.