What happens next after the resentencing of the Menendez brothers?

The possibility of the Menendez brothers being freed from prison didn't exist when they exhausted all of their appeals more than a decade ago, but now they could soon be released.

Since 1996, Joseph Menendez, also known as Lyle, and his younger brother Erik Menendez have been incarcerated in California prisons for their parents' 1989 murders. They are serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole.

This week, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón made a significant move to shorten sentences, and if the court agrees, they could be released on parole right away.

The two brothers assert that they shot their father, Jose Menendez, a former RCA Records executive, in self-defense, believing he intended to murder them after they threatened to reveal him as a child molester. Additionally, they killed their mother, Mary "Kitty" Menendez, who was sitting next to Jose eating ice cream in their Beverly Hills home when they opened fire.

Jurors couldn't agree on their fate during their first trial, resulting in a mistrial. In the mid-1990s, after some of their evidence was excluded during a second trial, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive was greed.

Gascón stated that new evidence supporting the brothers' sex abuse claims has not been examined in court, but their claims influenced his decision to request reduced sentences for them, according to reports from Thursday.

WATCH: Los Angeles DA to recommend reduced sentences for Menendez brothers

On Friday, the DA formally requested in court that the sentences of life in prison without parole be reduced to 50 years to life in prison.

Here's what happens next:

• Gascón's recommendation for the brothers' release will be accepted or rejected by the judge based on whether he determines their rehabilitation or the justice of their release.
• If he agreed to give a new sentence, he wouldn't be restricted by the one given to him and could choose something else.
• If the judge reduces the sentence, the brothers could become eligible for parole because they were under 26 at the time of the crime and have served over 25 years already.
• Officials say the parole board would have six months to schedule hearings.
• If the parole board agrees, the case will go to Gov. Gavin Newsom for final approval.

If they manage to escape, the next step would be determining how to earn a living. Despite being prohibited from receiving any inheritance from their victims, they have some potential options.

According to Doug Eldridge, a celebrity brand expert and the founder of Achilles PR, the Menendez murders are considered among the most high-profile and legendary murders in American history, alongside the JFK assassination, the Manson/Mansfield killings, and Robert Durst.

"The show has name recognition among at least two generations and would still be popular among a younger audience who may not be familiar with the backstory but enjoy the genre."

He informed Planet Chronicle Digital that they could secure a streaming giant like Netflix for their first paycheck with a documentary deal.

If the brothers control the narrative and take ownership of their projects, they may be better off financially and emotionally, according to pop culture expert Perez Hilton, who would love to interview either of them if they emerged.

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Both of them married while in prison in the summer of 1996, and Hilton predicted that at least one of them might end up divorced after signing up for social media, which didn't exist at the time.

"Hilton shared with Planet Chronicle Digital how he felt when he was suddenly released from prison after 34 years. He explained that he had married someone he never thought he would get out to, but now that he was free, he was on social media and quickly learned how to navigate it. He also mentioned that even while in prison, he received letters from women, which is how he met his wife. He predicted that his direct messages (DMs) would be flooded with messages from these women."

Lyle Menendez previously gave a hint about his plans if he is released.

During a live interview with lawyer Mark Geragos at CrimeCon 2024 in Nashville, the elder Menendez brother revealed that he has been studying for a master's degree and contemplating how to reintegrate into society.

Lyle stated, "I've had discussions with corrections officials who oversee the release of formerly incarcerated individuals, and they are receptive to and interested in my idea of transforming prison yards into livable communities that benefit the surrounding neighborhoods."

He plans to continue his advocacy work for survivors of childhood sex abuse after being released from prison, where he has been working on therapy groups with other inmates.

"Lyle has discussed with Rosie O'Donnell the possibility of establishing a foundation to assist in speaking engagements at forums within specific groups. This is an area in which Lyle spends a significant amount of time."