Judge agrees to resentence Menendez brothers over 1989 murders

A Los Angeles judge has agreed to resentence two brothers who are serving life in prison for the 1989 murders of their parents in a Beverly Hills mansion.

Judge Michael Jesic's ruling in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez paves the way for the brothers' possible release on parole.

The pair have acknowledged killing Kitty and Jose Menendez, but said they acted out of self-defence after years of abuse and have since been rehabilitated.

Prosecutors have argued the brothers meticulously planned the shotgun killings to access their parents' fortune, are yet to take responsibility and should not be released.

The notorious case, which has prompted books, documentaries and dramas, still divides America.

The brothers were expected to first give a statement - via video - to the court at Tuesday's hearing.

The siblings appeared virtually for the proceedings, both wearing bright blue shirts and sitting in the same room. At the start, they appeared upbeat and smiled, waving to their legal team.

The long-awaited resentencing hearing began on Tuesday to determine whether two could be freed from prison after three decades.

The court heard relatives detail how the case affected their family, and pleading for the judge to allow the siblings' release from prison.

The brothers' cousin, Anamaria Baralt, who has been close with them since they were children, told the judge they deserved a "second chance at life".

"It's been a nightmare," she said. "I am desperate for this process to be over."

At times, both Erik and Lyle appeared emotional as family recounted how their crimes have impacted them. Both wiped their eyes at times, with Erik covering his mouth or putting his head in his hands at other moments.

Ms Baralt speaks with Erik and Lyle frequently, she told the court, and testified that they've taken "ownership of their actions".

She said they admitted they tried to steer their previous trial - with Lyle telling her he'd asked a witness to lie when testifying.

"They are very different men from the boys they were," she said.