California Gov. Gavin Newsom is ordering the parole board to launch an investigation into whether the Menendez brothers pose "an unreasonable risk to the public."

Attorneys for Lyle and Erik Menendez said Wednesday that California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the state parole board to investigate whether the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they are released after nearly three decades in prison for the 1989 killing of their parents.

The move is a step toward clemency for the brothers who have asked a court to take another look at their case amid new sexual assault allegations they say corroborate a history of abuse by their father,

Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the state parole board to conduct a “risk assessment investigation” of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are serving life-without-parole prison sentences for the shotgun slayings of their parents in Beverly Hills but have petitioned the governor’s office for a pardon or commutation of their sentences.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that he’s ordering the California Board of Parole Hearings to closely examine whether the Menendez brothers pose a risk to public safety if released from prison right now.