The Menendez brothers were tried twice for the murder of their parents, with the first trial ending in a hung jury.

Prosecutors argued at the time that there was no evidence of sexual assault, and that many details in their story of sexual abuse were not allowed during the second trial. The district attorney’s office also said at the time that the brothers were after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.

In 1995, the brothers were tried again, but this time the judge did not allow cameras in the courtroom and placed restrictions on the defense’s presentation of evidence regarding the abuse allegations. At the second trial, the brothers were found guilty of first-degree murder of both their parents and conspiracy to commit murder. Both brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. They have repeatedly appealed their convictions to no avail.

The case attracted significant media attention due to the family’s wealth, the gruesome nature of the murders and the defense’s strategy during the trial. The courtroom became a battleground of stories, pitting accusations of cold-blooded inheritance murder against claims of self-defense rooted in a history of abuse.

Erik and Lyle Menendez. (FOX11)

Interest in the case has recently been renewed with the release of Netflix’s ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ and an upcoming documentary, in which the brothers will tell their side of the story.

Last week, nearly two dozen relatives of the brothers held a joint news conference urging the release of Erik and Lyle, saying they deserve to be free after decades behind bars. Several family members have said that in today’s world — which is more aware of the impact of sexual abuse — the brothers would not have been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.