At their second trial, in which the brothers were tried together, they were not allowed to present alleged evidence of abuse and the jury returned a guilty verdict. Erik and Lyle were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

New evidence has since emerged, as well as criticism of the second trial judge, with many supporters claiming the court ignored the brother’s sexual abuse allegations because of his gender.

Recently, new evidence emerged in the case, including a letter that erik wrote to his cousin stating that the abuse was still occurring eight months before the murders.