Menendez brothers will appear in court for the first time in 28 years and will likely be released soon

Eric and Lyle Menendez will appear before a judge on Monday, their first public appearance in nearly 30 years; This could be an important step towards their eventual freedom.

The brothers, currently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, will hold a status hearing to consider new evidence that the 1989 shotgun killings of their parents at their Beverly Hills mansion followed their father’s horrific sexual abuse.

The high-profile murderers will appear before Judge Michael Jesic at 1:30 p.m. The judge has not yet decided whether they will be released from prison in person or virtually.

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón before his latest election loss It was suggested that the brothers’ sentences be reduced Considering they’ve already been in prison for so long, they may be eligible for parole.

The brothers’ lawyers will also ask the court to reduce their sentences from first-degree murder to manslaughter; They have already served three times the maximum sentence for this crime.

It will be difficult to get a seat to watch the hearing. Los Angeles County Superior Court announced They will hold a public lottery to determine who will get any of the 16 seats reserved for the public during the hearing.

The siblings were last seen in court in 1996 during the second trial of the 1989 shooting deaths of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at the family’s Beverly Hills mansion.

Eric, 18, and Lyle, 21, were accused of buying a shotgun and firing multiple shots at Jose and Kitty Menendez as they sat down to watch television one evening.

The first trial that made the Menendez brothers a household name ended in a deadlocked jury. However, they were found guilty in a retrial and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Before the brothers were charged with double murder, they went on a shopping spree with their $14 million inheritance, buying luxury trips, a sports car and Rolex watches.

In the courtroom, the pair confessed to the murders but claimed they were committed in self-defense after suffering a lifetime of abuse, including sexual abuse from their father.

The brothers’ lawyers present new evidence, including allegations that Roy Rosselló, a former member of the boy band Menudo, was raped by the brothers’ father, Jose, a wealthy music executive.

They also want to make a presentation Eric’s letter to his cousin She details her father’s alleged abuse 8 months before the murders.

The brothers’ case has gained renewed attention with a recent Netflix documentary about the case, and supporters are Gathered in front of the courthouse To support family members who are calling for their release.

Menendez brothers’ lawyer Mark Geragos also requested clemency That would allow them to be released almost immediately, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

However, Newsom delayed the pardon decision until newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman reviewed the case.

The hearing on Eric and Lyle’s resentment is scheduled for December 11.