More than three decades after their conviction shocked the nation, Erik and Lyle Menendez are now the closest they have ever been to regaining their freedom.
The brothers, who were sentenced to life in prison for killing their parents in 1989, will go before the California parole board this week in hearings that could determine whether they are released after nearly 30 years behind bars.
Parole hearings for the Menendez brothers start Thursday morning with Erik first appearing in front of a panel of commissioners by videoconference from Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. His older brother, Lyle, will have a separate hearing later Friday. Each case will be considered separately by two or three parole officers who are responsible for determining whether the brothers would constitute “an unreasonable risk of danger to society” if released, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.
From Life Without Parole to Parole-Eligible
The Menendez brothers were each sentenced in 1996 to prison for life without the hope of parole for the killings of their father, entertainment executive Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills estate. Prosecutors at the time claimed that the brothers had acted out of greed, intending to collect a multimillion-dollar inheritance. The defense responded that Erik, who was 18 at the time, and Lyle, 21, had been repeatedly sexually abused by their father for years and murdered in self-preservation and fear.
In May of 2024, a Los Angeles judge resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life from life without parole after deciding that California law mandated reconsideration of sentences for offenders under 26 at the time of their offense. The ruling made them eligible for parole upon release after about three decades behind bars.
What the Parole Board Will Consider
In the hearings, the parole board will balance several things, such as the brothers’ criminal record, reasons, showing remorse, behavior in prison, and attempts to rehabilitate. The process also looks at future plans and whether their release would endanger public safety.
Even if parole is ordered, freedom doesn’t follow immediately. When the board makes a decision, the case goes into a 120-day legal review by the chief counsel of the board. From there, California Governor Gavin Newsom has 30 days to sign or veto parole. Newsom has said before that the key question is whether the Menendez brothers are a threat to public safety, referring to himself as the “ultimate arbiter” of those cases.
Public Interest and Revitalization
The Menendez case has been America’s most notorious true crime story, the subject of documentaries, dramatizations, and most recently the Netflix show Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and the documentary The Menendez Brothers. Both of the 2024 releases fueled public debate and gained new fans.
A-list celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, publicly testified in support of the release of the brothers as victims of years-long abuse. The supporters have staged protests in Los Angeles, appeared at hearings, and swarmed social media with pleas for mercy.
Lawyer Mark Geragos, who represents the brothers, has also campaigned for early release, especially for Erik Menendez, who was hospitalized earlier this year due to a grave medical condition before being sent back to jail.
Rehabilitation Behind Bars
The Menendez brothers have, through the years, attended education, self-help courses, and prison leadership. They have engaged in peer support groups, counseling, and mentorship to other prisoners. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, who petitioned for the brothers to be resentenced in 2023, recognized this when he cited that the brothers had shown personal growth and been good witnesses to the prison community.
Nonetheless, prosecutors have continued to contend that the brothers have not yet accepted full responsibility for the killings, perpetuating a lingering tension between legal arguments of rehabilitation and justice.
What Comes Next
This week’s parole hearings represent a turning point in a case that has intrigued the public for over 30 years. Parole granted would shift the decision to review phases that could last months before Governor Newsom makes his ultimate decision.
Simultaneously, the Menendez brothers also have a pending habeas corpus petition, filed in May 2023, asking to have their convictions reassessed on the basis of new evidence corroborating their abuse claims against their father. Recently, a judge in Los Angeles instructed prosecutors to answer why the case would not be retried, leaving another avenue for justice for the brothers open.
For the moment, all attention remains focused on the parole board as Erik and Lyle Menendez try to convince California officials that after three decades behind bars, they are no longer a risk to society – and ought to have a second chance at life outside prison walls.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
