Erik Menendez Denied Parole Brother Lyle’s hearing is set for this morning
Erik Menendez was denied parole on Thursday by a California parole board, which cited his continued disciplinary issues during his decades behind bars as evidence that he still poses a risk to public safety. Menendez, who has been imprisoned alongside his older brother Lyle for the 1989 murders of their parents, will not be eligible for parole again for another three years.
The decision came after an all-day hearing at the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, where the brothers are both serving life sentences. Lyle Menendez is scheduled for a separate parole hearing on Friday morning, according to the Associated Press.
During the hearing, parole commissioners questioned Erik Menendez about his past actions and his ongoing rule violations in prison — including repeated cellphone use. While several family members spoke in favor of his release, the panel ultimately concluded that his behavior did not reflect the kind of rehabilitation required for parole.
“Two things can be true: They can love and forgive you, and you can still be found unsuitable for parole,” Commissioner Robert Barton said. He emphasized that the decision was based more on Menendez’s behavior in prison than on the severity of the original crime. Barton described the rule-breaking, particularly the use of a cellphone, as “selfish” and reflective of a belief that rules do not apply to him.
Visibly affected by the decision, Menendez listened closely as the commissioners delivered their findings. Barton challenged the perception that Menendez has been a model prisoner, noting discrepancies between his conduct and the version of events believed by his supporters.
The hearing marked the closest Erik and Lyle Menendez have come to securing their release in nearly 30 years. In May, a judge reduced their sentences, making them immediately eligible for parole for the first time.
The brothers also have a pending habeas corpus petition filed in May 2023, seeking a review of their convictions. The petition cites new evidence supporting their longstanding claims that they were sexually abused by their father, José Menendez.
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