Erik and Lyle Menendez are close to possible freedoms as judges reduce their verdict

The judge ruled on Tuesday that Erik and Lyle Menendez will shoot on freedom after falling 35 years behind in the murder of their parents.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic reduced his brother's sentences from life without parole to 50 years.

“I'm not saying they should be released, it's not my decision,” Jesus said. “I do believe they have done enough in the last 35 years and should have a chance.”

They are now eligible for parole under the California Young Criminal Law because they were under 26 when they committed the crime. The National Parole Board still has to decide whether to release it from prison.

While reducing the verdict was a major victory for the brothers, defense attorney Mark Geragos said he had been seeking to lower his charges to manslaughter, which would allow them to be released immediately. The judge did not go that far.

The brothers appeared through live video and spoke in court for the first time before the ruling.

“I killed my mom and dad. I have no excuses and no reason,” Lyle Menendez said in a statement to the court. “The impact of my violence on my family is incredible.”

Erik Menendez also talked about being responsible for his actions and apologizing to his family. He said: “You shouldn't get everything I did to you, but you inspired my ability.”

“Reden is possible”: Defense Attorney

The brothers were denied bail in 1990 after being arrested at their home in Beverly Hills in 1989 for murdering their father, Jose Menendez and mother, Kitty Menendez. They were subsequently convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and then sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. At the time of the killing, Erik was 18 and Lyle was 21.

Although the defense attorney argued that the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents with millions of dollars in inheritance.

The case has attracted public attention for decades. Over the past few months, supporters of the brothers have flew from all over the country to attend rallies and hearings.

“I just know that on today's day, redemption is possible,” Glagos said. “The fact is, the Menendez Brothers did a great job. Today is a wonderful day 35 years later.”

“We've evolved,” Glagos said. “It's not the 90s anymore. We have a stronger understanding of a lot of things.”

Los Angeles County prosecutors object to the re-sentence. They said the brothers were not responsible for the crime. “They're not clean,” said Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

Geragos stressed that the purpose of re-sentence is to “encourage recovery.”

“That's the law, not the fact that crime is done like the Avenue.”

Last fall, former district attorney George Gascón opened the door for the brothers by asking the judge to reduce the sentence. His office said cases today will be different due to a modern understanding of sexual abuse and trauma.