Prosecutors will seek resentencing of the Menendez brothers

The Los Angeles County district attorney said Thursday that he will seek resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez, who killed their parents in 1989, a move that could lead to their release from prison.

District Attorney George Gascón announced his decision at a press conference at the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles.

“I believe they have paid their debt to society,” he said.

Mr. Gascón, surrounded by members of his office and members of the Menendez family, said he would ask the court on Friday to convict the brothers of a murder charge that carries the possibility of parole.

It’s not clear when a Los Angeles Superior Court judge will rule on the resentencing request. If a judge agrees with Mr. Gascón, the brothers would have to appear before a parole board. But the trials by the court and the parole board could take many more weeks, and the brothers’ release is by no means guaranteed.

The district attorney noted that there was disagreement within his office about whether to proceed with the resentencing. He cited a recent documentary that he said “attracted tremendous public attention” and led to requests for information.

During their first televised trial in the early 1990s, the brothers said they were sexually molested by their father and feared for their lives. Her claims were met with widespread skepticism at the time. But Mr. Gascón said that he was ultimately persuaded by prosecutors in his office who reviewed the case to ask the court to reconsider it and that he believed the harassment allegations.