Category
✨
PeopleTranscript
00:00All right, breaking overnight, the two California brothers convicted in serving a life sentence for killing their parents now potentially have a chance at parole.
00:08This for the first time. A judge resentenced the Menendez brothers to 50 years to life in prison for the 1989 killings, and it really does make the brothers eligible for parole.
00:18It comes after more than three decades behind bars.
00:21Joining us now live and early, frankly, from the West Coast, our friend Nick Watt. This was something to see, Nick.
00:27John, it was an extraordinary day in court, particularly when we heard directly from Lyle and Eric Menendez, who appeared in court via video link from where they're being held in a facility down near San Diego.
00:41Listen, John, the bottom line here is for many years, the Menendez brothers had no hope of getting out.
00:48They were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Now they have some hope.
00:54There are a few more hurdles for them before they walk free.
00:57For a start, there is going to be a clemency hearing on June 13th.
01:02It is up to the parole board of California and the governor of California now to decide whether they actually walk free.
01:10Now, their lawyer, Mark Garagos, who you see in that picture there, he came out after the session yesterday and said,
01:172025 is going to be the year that these brothers get their freedom.
01:22They've been behind bars 35 years or so.
01:25Now, when we heard from Lyle and Eric, the first thing that Lyle Menendez said was,
01:30on August 20th, 1989, I killed my mum and dad.
01:34He said, I make no excuses.
01:37Eric Menendez also spoke and said, I assumed that I would die behind bars.
01:42That has now changed. Now, why?
01:45Well, the judge said, for a start, I'm really impressed with everything that they've done in prison while they had no hope of getting out.
01:52He also said, I don't think that they will ever commit a serious crime again.
01:57And he said he was frankly bowled over by all of the letters he received in support of the brothers,
02:01from correctional officers who said that they'd never written such a letter in the past.
02:06They wrote one on behalf of the Menendez brothers, saying they were ready to be freed.
02:10We also heard from family members.
02:12Now, a cousin spoke and said that universally, all the living members of the family have forgiven the brothers,
02:19believe that they should be given a second chance at life.
02:23They say 35 years is enough.
02:25So, governor, parole board, this isn't over.
02:28But now the Menendez brothers have hope, John, of getting out.
02:32Yeah. For the first time, you make such a good point.
02:35These next two steps will be interesting and, frankly, politically precarious for those involved as well.
02:41Nate Watt, great to see you. Thank you very much.
02:43All right. This morning, prices are far.