Prosecutor Marcia Clark Isn't Sure the Menendez Brothers Should Be Released

Famous prosecutor remains divided on whether and deserve to be released from prison.

“I have bounced back and forth on this so many times because I don’t know the case,” Clark, 71, who was brought into the spotlight during the murder trial, said during the Monday, December 2, episode of the Today show. “It was in the air [Los Angeles District Attorney’s office when I worked there] but I wasn’t involved in it. So I don’t really know any more than the public does so I can’t say what I think should happen.”

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After practicing law for decades, Clark could see both sides of the argument.

“Sometimes I think, ‘Hey, these spoiled rich kids shotgunned their parents to death. I understand you thought you were in danger with your father — but I am not sure I buy that,'” she noted. “On the other hand, I think that they might [have been in danger]. If they did then they deserve to be convicted of manslaughter.”

Related: Could Menendez Brothers Be Released From Prison? Appeal Process ExplainedErik and Lyle Menéndez‘s murder case was thrust back into the spotlight with Ryan Murphy‘s Monsters — and now there is a chance their life without parole sentences could be reduced. The Menéndez brothers’ parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, were found dead at their Beverly Hills home in 1989. After Lyle called the police, they […]

Erik, 53, and Lyle, 55, were arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder after their parents, and , were found shot in their home. The siblings later admitted to killing their parents following years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse. They were ultimately found guilty of and sentenced to life without parole in 1996 after two high-profile trials.

Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Images

While their prior attempts to appeal the decision were denied, recent high-profile TV projects such as Monsters, The Menéndez Brothers and more have seemingly offered Erik and Lyle a chance at freedom. In October, the Los Angeles District Attorney recommended that a judge resentence Erik and Lyle to 50 years, which could make them eligible for parole and prison release.

“I don’t think it is bad to look back at cases. I do not. Because every case — at the time it is tried — is impacted in some way by what is happening to us as a society and our understanding of the issues, maybe, involved in that case,” Clark said on Monday. “Particularly when it comes to child abuse. So we bring a more sophisticated idea as to what was going on. That is a good thing.”

Clark continued: “It brings us balance and is probably an argument for doing that as much as possible. That doesn’t necessarily mean you change the outcome and it doesn’t necessarily mean the Menéndez brothers get released. But we look at it now with different eyes. There’s no question.”

Related: Timeline of Erik, Lyle Menendez's Murder Case: From Arrest to ResentencingErik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez‘s murder case has played out in the public for over three decades from two high-profile trials to a life sentence — and now a renewed chance at freedom. After their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, were found dead in 1989, Erik and Lyle became the prime suspects. The brothers were […]

According to Clark, cases such as the Menéndez one is “more of a conundrum” compared to her work on the Simpson trial because it “gives you more” to think about.

Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. confers with prosecutors Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden during testimony in the O.J. Simpson Criminal Trial February 9, 1995. Lee Celano/WireImage

Back in 1994, Simpson was named as the primary suspect after his ex-wife and her friend were fatally stabbed outside of her home in Los Angeles one year prior.

Simpson was ultimately acquitted on the murder charges in 1995 after a high-profile criminal trial but was later found liable for Brown Simpson and Goldman’s deaths after their families sued him in a civil trial. The former athlete died of prostate cancer at age 76 in April.

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During their individual legal issues in the ‘90s, Simpson and the Menéndez brothers crossed paths at Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail. ’s 2018 book The Menéndez Murders revealed that Erik offered Simpson advice about his legal strategy and handling the overwhelming media coverage of his trial. Lyle also interacted with Simpson and allegedly advised the athlete to plead guilty to accept a plea bargain.

Related: Inside Menendez Brothers' History With O.J. Simpson After 'Monsters' SceneGetty Images (3) Ryan Murphy‘s Monsters series showed Erik Menéndez giving O.J. Simpson legal advice in prison — but did they actually know each other? During the penultimate episode, which was released on Thursday, September 19, Erik is seen watching coverage about Simpson’s infamous Bronco chase. Simpson was ultimately apprehended and brought into the same […]

“I told him I thought the public would understand,” Lyle told Rand in an interview. “I expressed my concern that [lawyer] wouldn’t let him tell the truth. I said I knew it obviously wasn’t planned and that he had snapped in the heat of passion.”

Marcia Clark AFP via Getty Images

Erik later said he thought Simpson’s verdict had “a very negative effect” on their case, sharing in The Menéndez Murders: Erik Tells All, “Because this verdict was so shocking, there was this sense that an extreme injustice had happened and now we’re gonna have to right it with every defendant that comes up. We were the next defendant.”

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Prosecutor Marcia Clark Isn't Sure the Menendez Brothers Should Be Released

Prosecutor Marcia Clark Isn't Sure the Menendez Brothers Should Be Released

Prosecutor Marcia Clark Isn't Sure the Menendez Brothers Should Be Released

Prosecutor Marcia Clark Isn't Sure the Menendez Brothers Should Be Released

Prosecutor Marcia Clark Isn't Sure the Menendez Brothers Should Be Released