Menendez brothers parole hearings decision after decades in prison for parents’ 1989 murders
Erik Menendez denied parole
A state parole board panel Thursday rejected a bid for parole by Erik Menendez, who has served about 35 years behind bars along with his brother Lyle for the 1989 murder of their parents in Beverly Hills.
LOS ANGELES - Thirty-six years after they killed their parents, one of the two Menendez brothers were denied a request for parole.
On Thursday, August 21, Erik Menendez was denied parole. His brother Lyle's hearing is set for Friday, August 22.
The news comes as the brothers were resentenced in May, which allowed them chances to have a hearing for the parole.
Erik Menendez awaits parole decision
Erik Menendez could soon be released from prison. He went before the parole board on Thursday. His brother Lyle Menendez has his parole hearing on Friday.
The backstory:
Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989.
Defense attorneys argued the brothers acted in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, while prosecutors said they were motivated by a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
Menendez brothers face parole board
Erik Menendez faces the board Thursday; Lyle?s hearing is set for Friday, both via video from San Diego.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Menendez brothers: See a timeline of the murder case
The brothers became eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge reduced their sentences to 50 years to life in May.
This made them immediately eligible under California law because they were under the age of 26 when the crimes were committed.
What we know:
Lyle Menendez awaits his fate as his hearing will happen on Friday.
The board will assess whether the brothers pose an "unreasonable risk of danger to society" if released.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LA County DA releases statement on eve of Menendez brothers parole hearings
They will consider criminal history, motivation for the crime, remorse, behavior in prison, and future plans.
What they're saying:
L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman opposes parole for the brothers.
He said they have "not demonstrated full insight into their crimes," and compared them to Sirhan Sirhan.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LA County DA reacts to Menendez resentencing
"The board is really big on the philosophy that if you can’t follow the rules in prison, you can’t follow the rules in free society," said Michael Beckman, a lawyer specializing in parole hearings. "Add to that that cellphones are one of the three big bad rules violations along with violence and substance abuse."
The brothers’ family have expressed support for their release.
"For more than 35 years, they have shown sustained growth," their family said in a statement. "They’ve taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service."
What's next:
If the parole board grants the brothers parole, the case will be reviewed by the chief legal counsel for 120 days.
Then, Governor Gavin Newsom will have 30 days to affirm or deny it.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Menendez brothers' bid for new trial 'Hail Mary' effort, LA DA Hochman says
Newsom has not said if he will support parole, but he has denied it in other high-profile cases in the past.
Even if parole is granted, it could be months before the brothers are released.
The Source: This report is based on previous FOX 11 reports, information from official sources including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and statements from the Los Angeles County District Attorney and the Menendez family. The article also includes insights from legal expert Michael Beckman, who specializes in parole hearings, and mentions details from a confidential risk assessment report.