Menendez brothers resentencing hearing expected to take place in Van Nuys courtroom Thursday

The Menendez brothers are expected to have a resentencing hearing Thursday morning in a Van Nuys courtroom after a judge ruled they could move forward with the proceedings.

After a six-hour hearing last week, LA County Judge Michael Jesic ruled in favor of Erik and Lyle Menendez, allowing their resentencing hearings to continue.

Jesic denied LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman's request to have former DA George Gascón's resentencing motion withdrawn.

Hochman filed the request to have Gascón's motion withdrawn after his office reviewed thousands of court documents, prison records, trial transcripts and other statements. Hochman claimed his predecessor's motion did not thoroughly consider whether the brothers had taken full responsibility for their crimes.

Erik and Lyle appeared side by side on a virtual screen as some of their family members sat inside the courtroom. They celebrated after the judge gave his decision.

"Today's ruling affirms something that should have never been in question," cousin Anamaria Baralt said. "The facts, fairness and the law still matter. The court made clear that this process is not about politics. It's about truth. It's about justice. And, it's about giving people the chance to show who they are now, not just who they were in their worst moments."

The resentencing hearing is one way the brothers are hoping to gain freedom after being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1989 killings of their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez. The brothers have admitted to the killings but said they did it in self-defense, after enduring years of abuse from their parents.

Hochman alleges the brothers have repeatedly lied about the self-defense claim.

Another resentencing hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Aside from the resentencing route, the Menendez brothers also hope to secure freedom through clemency. Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered a state parole board to perform a risk assessment to determine if they continue to pose a risk to public safety.

The clemency hearing is expected to take place after the board concludes its final meeting with the brothers on June 13.