After more than three decades behind bars for the 1989 murder of their parents, Erik and Lyle Menendez are facing separate virtual parole hearings in California this week. These hearings could determine whether the infamous brothers walk free, following a resentencing, new legal filings, and renewed public interest fueled by documentaries and a Netflix drama.

Story Highlights

• First parole hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez since their 1996 convictions

• Erik Menendez appears via video from Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility

• Lyle Menendez scheduled for a separate video hearing on Friday

• Both brothers cite rehabilitation, remorse, and prison contributions

• District Attorney opposes parole, claiming they never accepted full responsibility

• Contraband violations in prison may weigh against release

• If granted parole, 120-day review and governor’s decision will follow

• Denial means a 3–15-year wait for another chance

• Case reignited by Netflix series and new abuse allegations

Erik Menendez Makes His Case

Erik Menendez, 54, appeared via video link from Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego. He faced a two- to three-person parole panel, arguing for release under a resentenced term of 50 years to life, reduced in July from his original life without parole sentence handed down in 1996.

His defense team, led by high-profile attorney Mark Geragos, emphasized his rehabilitation, remorse, and contributions to prison programs, including support for elderly inmates. Family members, correctional staff, and former inmates submitted letters and testimonies supporting his transformation.

Challenges to Release

Despite positive reports, both brothers have recent citations for contraband cell phone possession. Their attorneys acknowledge these violations could undermine their credibility. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman strongly opposes their release, arguing they “have never fully accepted responsibility” and maintain a fabricated self-defense claim to mask a financially motivated crime.

Lyle Menendez Hearing Next

Lyle Menendez will face the board in a separate video-conference hearing on Friday, also from San Diego. His defense strategy mirrors Erik’s, focusing on rehabilitation and institutional behavior. However, the board may weigh his individual record and demeanor differently.

What Happens If Parole Is Granted?

If either brother secures parole, the case undergoes a 120-day legal review by the board’s chief counsel. California Governor Gavin Newsom then has 30 days to uphold, modify, or overturn the recommendation. If parole is denied, state law imposes a waiting period of three to 15 years before another hearing, depending on the board’s ruling.

Background and Renewed Attention

Convicted in 1996 at their second trial for killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, the brothers’ defense of long-term sexual abuse was significantly limited by the judge. In May, a resentencing judge ruled that their youthful ages at the time made them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law.

Public interest has surged again due to Netflix’s 2024 series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and a recent documentary. Meanwhile, a parallel habeas corpus petition introduces new evidence, including a letter alleging sexual abuse by their father and testimony from a former Menudo member supporting those claims.

The Menendez brothers’ parole hearings mark a pivotal moment in one of America’s most notorious family murder cases. After decades of legal battles, shifting narratives, and a resurgence of public interest, the outcome now rests with California’s parole board and ultimately Governor Gavin Newsom. Whether Erik and Lyle Menendez are granted freedom or remain behind bars will not only close a major chapter in a decades-old case but also ignite debate over justice, rehabilitation, and accountability in high-profile crimes.

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