After months of delays and decades of imprisonment, Erik and Lyle Menendez now have a long-awaited opportunity for freedom as the judge reduced the 1989 verdict of the killing of parents.

Their family and extensive network of supporters celebrated Tuesday when Justice Michael Jesic was upset about the jail of his brother and apprentice without parole until 50 years. The judge's decision means they are immediately eligible for parole under California's young offender law, because the age of the murder period is very young.

Soon, they will appear before the parole committee, which will decide whether they should be released. Their freedom is not guaranteed, but this week's developments have brought them out of prison more than ever.

"They are a real family," said Mark Geragos, the brothers' chief attorney, after the hearing. "The real people are through unimaginable horror. I hope and glad that we are closer to bringing the boy home."

Their release may eventually make a case take headlines and attract nearly four decades of public attention. In 1989, Princeton's 21-year-old student Lyle and 18-year-old tennis star Erik attacked their parents with shotguns while watching TV and ice cream at their home in Beverly Hills. Jose, a distinguished entertainment executive, was shot five times, while Kitty was shot nine times.

The brothers initially said the killing was related to the mafia or father’s business, but eventually they admitted it and said they killed their parents in self-defense. They said they were worried that their parents would kill them to prevent them from talking about the long-term sexual abuse they experienced by their fathers. Prosecutors argued that the brothers killed their parents to obtain millions of dollars in inheritance.

They were convicted of murder in 1996 after two serious trials - their first trial was one of the first to be conducted on a court station almost entirely on television. But in recent years, the general narrative surrounding the brothers and their crimes has begun to change - partly because the viral tiktoks focus on their allegations of abuse.

The attention has increased last year and a half. First, a letter written by Erik gave his late cousin, and was then killed to confirm that his abuse allegations surfaced after being discovered in 2018 in a family belonging. Then, a former member of the band Menendez said he was also abused by Jose Menendez, a teenager in the 1980s when he was young. Erik and Lyle filed a habeas order petition in 2023, challenging their beliefs unconstitutional.

But in 2024, more attention will be paid to cases and movements. This is the theme of the documentary and Netflix series. Erik and Lyle are supported by criminal justice reform advocates including Kim Kardashian. Progressive former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said he believed the brothers’ claims about abuse and had recovered.

He advised them to feel indignant and open the door to release.

Incumbent District Attorney Nathan Hochman beat Gascón in the November election, quickly turned the course and sought to withdraw the indignation petition twice. He argued that the brothers were not fully responsible for the crime, which his office said did not believe they were abused.

But the lawsuit eventually went smoothly due to the Los Angeles wildfires and disputes between the defense lawyer and the prosecution, which was a dispute between the defense lawyer and the prosecution, 54 and 57, respectively, returned to court Tuesday, with several family members and supporters speaking on their behalf.

The brothers have received support from the entire family, except for the recently passed away uncle, who said they forgave the brothers and hoped they were released. Relatives talk about the abuse the brothers faced, their achievements in prison and their desire to see them release.

"We all believe 35 years is enough on both sides of the family," she told the court. "They are generally forgiven by the family."

Retired Judge Jonathan Colby told the court he thought he was severity of the crime, but he had to know the brothers and be impressed by the plans they started in prison to provide assistance and care for older disabled inmates.

"Like Erik and Lyle, I didn't encounter many prisoners," he said.

Anerae Brown, who was once imprisoned by his brothers, was crying when he testified about how they helped him recover and embarked on the road to recovery, leading to his release from prison and said they began the "Menendez University" program.

Erik and Lyle actually participated in the lawsuit and read the statement to the court, acknowledging the impact of the crime. “You shouldn’t get everything I did to you, but you inspired my efforts,” Erik Menendez said as his family spoke.

The brothers immediately made his decision after their speech and granted them a new verdict of 50 years. Because they were less than 26 at the time of the murder, they were immediately eligible for parole.

Los Angeles District Attorney Hochman said his office opposed their grudges “make sure the court gets all the facts before making such a ruling.”

The district attorney added: "The resentful decision against Erik and Lyle Menendez is a huge decision and has great significance for the family, community and judicial principles involved."

“Our office’s motion to withdraw the resentment motion filed by the previous administration ensures that the court presents all facts before such a decision to make such a result.”

The brothers are expected to appear in court on June 13 to file a leniency petition to the governor, although it is unclear whether this will serve as their parole hearing or whether other lawsuits will be arranged. If parole is approved and California's governor allows a position to be decided, they will be released.

Legal analysts are expected to be granted parole.

"The brothers will likely be released within a few months. The parole board will be overwhelmed to support the brothers."

“Every living family member of Jose and Kitty Menendez supports their release, which is almost unheard of in murders like this.”

The Associated Press contributed