Los Angeles prosecutors are reviewing new evidence in the Menendez brothers' 1996 murder conviction

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing new evidence in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez to determine whether they should serve life sentences for killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than 35 years ago, according to the The city's district attorney said Thursday.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said during a news conference that there is no doubt that Erik Menendez, 53, and his 56-year-old brother Lyle Menendez committed the murders, but his office will review new evidence and issue a Submit an opinion Decision on whether resentencing is warranted in the infamous case that drew national attention.

New evidence presented in a petition includes a letter from Erik Menendez that his lawyers say corroborates allegations that he was sexually abused by his father.

The brothers said they killed their parents in self-defense after suffering a lifetime of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from them. Their lawyers argue that because of society's changing views on sexual abuse today, the brothers may not have been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Bryan Freedman, the extended family's attorney, said he strongly supports the brothers' release.

“She wants nothing more than for them to be released,” Freedman said of Joan VanderMolen, the brothers’ aunt.

The brothers' lawyers said the family assumed from the start that they should be charged with manslaughter rather than murder. Manslaughter was not an option for the jury in the second trial, which ultimately led to the murder conviction, said attorney Mark Geragos.

Lyle Menendez, who was 21 at the time, and Erik Menendez, then 18, admitted that they fatally shot their father, Jose Menendez, the entertainment executive, and their mother, Kitty Menendez, in 1989, but said they feared their deaths Parents would kill her to prevent the disclosure of Erik's long-term sexual abuse by her father.

Prosecutors at the time claimed there was no evidence of harassment. They said the sons were after their parents' multi-million dollar estate.

The jury rejected a death sentence in favor of life in prison without parole.

Attorney Cliff Gardner, who also represents the brothers, said they were pleased with the district attorney's decision. The lawyers have asked the court to overturn their conviction.

“Given today's widely varying understanding of how sexual and physical abuse affects children – both boys and girls – and the remarkable new evidence, we believe resentencing is the appropriate outcome,” Gardner said in an email Thursday to The Associated Press. “The brothers have spent more than 30 years in prison. That's enough.”

The case has gained new attention in recent weeks after Netflix began airing the true crime drama “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” ”

In a statement released by his wife, “Men experience rape trauma differently than women.”

Gascón said he believes the issue of sexual assault would have been treated more sensitively if the case had taken place today.

“We haven’t decided on a result. We are checking the information,” Gascón said.

He said his office knew the “validity” of what was presented in the trial.

Gascón, who is seeking re-election, noted that during his time in office more than 300 people were re-convicted and only four committed crimes again.

A hearing was scheduled for November 29th.

Lyle Menendez recently earned a degree in sociology from the University of California, Irvine through a prison program. Geragos said they were model prisoners even though they believed they would never be released.

“I think it’s time,” Geragos said. “The family feels it’s time.”

Reality TV star and celebrity personality Kim Kardashian, who has advocated for criminal justice reform, also spoke out, writing in a personal essay shared with NBC News that the outsized media attention to the first trial, which was held nationwide televised, denied them justice.

She noted that with “their suffering and stories of abuse ridiculed in skits on 'Saturday Night Live,'” they were portrayed as “two arrogant, rich kids from Beverly Hills who killed their parents out of greed.” There was no room for empathy, let alone sympathy.”

“Given this, Erik and Lyle had no chance of a fair trial,” Kardashian wrote.

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This story has been updated to correct the name of the Netflix drama about the Menendez brothers to “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” rather than “The Menendez Brothers.”