"If the Menendez brothers are granted parole, then Gavin Newsom's got a very challenging decision to make," said legal expert Steven Clark.

A judge's decision to reduce the Menendez brothers' sentence for killing their parents in 1989 enables a parole board to hear their case. Gov. Gavin Newsom could still intervene.

Lyle and Erik, who are now 57 and 54, now qualify for parole — leaving their freedom in the hands of the state parole board and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

A Los Angeles judge resentenced Lyle and Erik Menendez, who have spent over three decades behind bars for the 1989 killing of their parents. They are now eligible for parole — but it's not guaranteed.

Erik and Lyle Menendez are one step closer to freedom after a judge on Tuesday reduced their sentence and opened up the possibility that the brothers might be granted parole. The dramatic development comes more than 30 years after they were placed behind bars for the 1989 murder of their parents.

Jonathan Colby said he met the brothers through his volunteer work of the past decade, as a therapy dog handler.

As a court reviewed the Menendez murder case, the culture and politics of the 1990s were scrutinized almost as much as the horrific crime.