Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing postponed until January

After spending more than 30 years behind bars for killing their parents, Lyle and Erik Menendez have a hope at being released from prison.

The 1989 murder case, which has gripped the US for decades, burst into life again this autumn when Los Angeles’s top prosecutor backed the brothers’ bid for resentencing.

The move could allow for their immediate release – if approved by a judge and a parole board.

But their path to freedom will face a few hurdles.

The brothers teleconferenced into a court hearing on Monday as several relatives testified in support of their release. During the hearing, a judge postponed taking up their resentencing bid until January 30.

Here we break down what’s happening as they seek their freedom.

Jose and Kitty Menendez were found dead inside their Beverly Hills mansion after being shot 13 times in August 1989.

Their sons  – Erik and Lyle – called police, telling authorities they had got home and found their parents dead.

Police initially thought it was a mob hit but lavish spending and partying shifted the focus on to the brothers.

A confession to their psychologist was their undoing. The doctor’s girlfriend secretly recorded their confession and reported it to authorities.

In March 1990, the brothers were charged by police. They went to trial in 1993 and the brothers admitted to the killings but argued they acted out of self-defence.

They outlined years of emotional, physical and sexual abuse – namely by their father, Jose, a music and film executive in Hollywood.

Lyle and Erik testified that they confronted their parents about the sexual abuse and things had become combative and they believed their parents were planning to kill them.

Family members testified about abuse they witnessed but none said they saw sexual abuse firsthand.

Prosecutors argued their motive was a $14m (£10.8m) inheritance.

Their first trial ended with a mistrial, but a second trial in 1995 led to them to being convicted of first-degree murder. (BBC)

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