Former mafia boss reveals Menendez brother confided in him behind bars

After more than three decades in jail, Eric and Lyle Menendez are a step closer to freedom after a judge reduced their double murder sentence, making them eligible for parole.

The re-sentencing saw the brothers' prison term slashed from life without parole to 50 years to life.

That sentence makes the Californian criminals, who were under 26 at the time of the crime, eligible for parole.

READ MORE: Great-grandfather's $200,000 coin collection vanishes at NSW auction house

Speaking to A Current Affair, former mafia boss and Menendez cellmate Michael Franzese revealed while in jail, Lyle opened up about the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of his parents.

"I asked questions about the crime and he told me about the abuse," Franzese said.

"I believed him, there was some level of abuse there, no question in my mind.

"There was definitely abuse and they definitely had fear of their dad."

It will be up to the state parole board to decide whether the pair, now aged 54 and 57, should walk free.

Watch the full video in the player above.