The Menendez brothers will make their circumstances for parole beginning Thursday, marking the closest they’ve been to profitable freedom from jail since their convictions virtually 30 years in the past for murdering their dad and mom.
Erik and Lyle Menendez have been sentenced in 1996 to life in jail for fatally taking pictures their father, Jose Menendez, and mom, Kitty Menendez, of their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989.
Whereas protection attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors mentioned the brothers sought a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
They grew to become eligible for parole after a Los Angeles decide in Could diminished their sentences from life in jail with out the potential for parole to 50 years to life, making them instantly eligible below California legislation as a result of they have been below the age of 26 once they dedicated their crimes.
However even when the board grants their parole, it could possibly be months earlier than the brothers stroll free — if in any respect.
Listening to for Erik Menendez is first, adopted by Lyle Menendez
A panel of parole listening to officers will consider the brothers individually. Erik Menendez can have his listening to on Thursday morning, adopted by Lyle Menendez on Friday.
They’ll seem over videoconference from jail in San Diego.
The board will assess whether or not the brothers pose an “unreasonable danger of hazard to society” if launched, contemplating components resembling legal historical past, motivation for the crime, indicators of regret, habits whereas in jail, and plans for the long run, in accordance with the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
If the board grants every brother’s parole, the chief authorized counsel has 120 days to overview the case.
Then, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has 30 days to affirm or deny the parole. Newsom had beforehand ordered the state parole board to conduct a danger evaluation of the brothers in response to a clemency request.
He hasn’t mentioned if he’s prone to assist parole, however he has denied suggestions in high-profile circumstances up to now — most notably for Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
Erik and Lyle Menendez have the assist of their family, who’re anticipated to ship statements at their hearings.
“For greater than 35 years, they’ve proven sustained development,” their household mentioned in an announcement. “They’ve taken full accountability. They categorical honest regret to our household to today and have constructed a significant life outlined by goal and repair.”
Case is featured in documentaries, TV specials and dramatizations
The case has captured the eye of true crime lovers for many years and spawned documentaries, tv specials, and dramatizations.
The Netflix drama “ Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story “ and a documentary launched in 2024 have been credited for bringing new consideration to the brothers.
Learn extra on the Menendez brothers’ case
A higher recognition of the brothers as victims of sexual abuse has additionally helped amass a legion of supporters who search their launch.
Some have flown to Los Angeles to carry rallies and attend court docket hearings.
The earlier LA County district legal professional first opened the door to potential freedom for the brothers final fall by asking a decide to cut back their sentences.
The decide’s determination to finally resentence the brothers adopted months of pushback from present prosecutors.
LA County District Legal professional Nathan Hochman mentioned forward of the parole hearings that he opposes parole for the brothers as a result of they’ve “not demonstrated full perception into their crimes,” evaluating them to Sirhan.
Newsom denied him parole in January 2022 due to his “poor perception.”
Perception means taking full duty for against the law and understanding the components that led you to commit the crime, resembling anger, lack of ability to deal with stress, and substance abuse, mentioned Michael Beckman, a lawyer specializing in parole hearings.
Latest guidelines violations might have penalties for the brothers
Erik and Lyle’s school levels, participation in volunteer applications and assist teams, and the truth that Lyle has not been in a single battle in jail are all optimistic components for his or her launch, he mentioned.
However current guidelines violations might have main penalties for the brothers.
In Could, Hochman revealed particulars from a confidential danger evaluation report that mentioned Lyle was cited for having a cellphone a number of instances in 2024, and Erik was discovered with a cellphone this January.
“The board is admittedly massive on the philosophy that when you can’t observe the principles in jail, you possibly can’t observe the principles in free society,” Beckman mentioned. “Add to that that cellphones are one of many three massive dangerous rule violations together with violence and substance abuse.”
In the end, Beckman famous that parole choices come right down to particular person commissioners, who may weigh the brothers’ circumstances based mostly on components like their celeb standing or relations’ assist.
The state corrections division has chosen one media consultant to view the proceedings just about and share notes with the remainder of the press at set intervals.
