California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered a review board to determine whether the Menendez brothers are ready for freedom. The governor instructed the Board of Parole Hearings to perform a “risk assessment investigation” on the brothers, who are serving life sentences for the murders of their parents in 1989, according to TMZ. Before the board assesses the siblings, there must be a “comprehensive risk assessment,” similar to a parole hearing. According to Newsom, experts will probe “what led each brother to commit their offense, and if they have done the transformational work needed—and gained the skills—to avoid repeating their mistakes.” The governor said he will use the information from the assessment to determine if he should commute their sentences. A lawyer for the brothers, who have appealed to Newsom for clemency, told ABC News on Wednesday that he’s “gratified and hopeful” about Newsom’s move, which was described as the first step in their path to freedom. The brothers appeared last week on the 2 Angry Men podcast, where they discussed the hardships they experienced in prison and the programs they created to help other inmates.
