SAN DIEGO — Thirteen to five years after murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home, Erik and Lyle Menendez are now gaining hope that they could one day possibly be freed.
On Wednesday, their family members will speak out at a press conference in Los Angeles, urging Los Angeles District George Gascon to act on new evidence that's recently surfaced in this infamous case.
Interest in the murder case of the Menendez Brothers, who are each currently serving life sentences at Donovan State Prison in San Diego County, has dramatically increased after the release of a new Netflix series.
That interest is also now focused on the brothers' real-life family members, who will be gathering for a highly-anticipated press conference.
"We have a moral and an ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us," said Los Angeles District George Gascon, speaking earlier about his decision to review the Menendez murder case. He made it clear that in 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez -- who were 18 and 21 at the time -- fatally shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home.
"I think that's factual," he added. "It's been established."
What is up for discussion now is whether the brothers, who've already served more than three decades behind bars, should have a new trial, or possibly be re-sentenced.
"We are not saying that there was anything wrong with the original trial," Gascon said. "We have been given evidence."
That new evidence includes a letter, allegedly written by Erik Menendez to a cousin in December 1988, eight months before the murders, that appears to support the brothers' contention that they'd killed in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse.
"I think it is important that we recognize that both men and women can be the victims of sexual assault," Gasonc said.
The other new evidence: allegations now surfacing that Jose Menendez had sexually assaulted a former underage member of the 1980s boy band Menudo.
Family attorney Mark Geragos says this review of the evidence is long overdue.
"We've got a much more robust and evolved understanding of abuse," Geragos said. "I think it's time, the family thinks it's time."