The Menendez brothers, convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, have once again been denied parole after lengthy hearings that included testimony from both brothers, their family, and parole commissioners.
According to TMZ, Lyle Menendez’s parole was officially denied for three years, though he will be eligible for an administrative review in a year and may have another full hearing within 18 months. His brother Erik Menendez also faced a denial after the board determined he still posed an unreasonable risk to public safety.
RELATED STORIES: Erik Menendez Denied Parole 36 Years After Parents’ Murder, Brother Lyle Menendez To Learn Fate Tomorrow; Board Believes Erik ‘Poses Unreasonable Risk To Public Safety’
Lyle Menendez Speaks on Childhood Abuse
During his parole hearing, Lyle Menendez reflected on the alleged abuse he endured at the hands of his father, Jose Menendez. He described his difficult upbringing, claiming his brother Erik also faced abuse, which shaped both of their decisions leading up to the murders.
Lyle admitted that Erik “became the abuser” at times, but insisted his brother did not fully understand why he acted the way he did.
The parole board ultimately denied his release, though his eligibility for review within a shorter period suggests his testimony carried some weight.
Why Erik Menendez Was Denied
Parole Commissioner Robert Barton cited Erik’s past criminal behavior as a major factor in the denial. He pointed to the burglary charges and violent conduct around the time of the murders, as well as multiple prison violations that have occurred during Erik’s incarceration.
During the hearing, Erik claimed he did not kill his parents in self-defense but insisted he lived in fear of his father at the time. Despite his statements, the parole board maintained that releasing him would pose a risk to public safety.
Resentencing and Future Eligibility
Earlier this year, the Menendez brothers were resentenced by a judge, making them eligible for parole consideration after serving more than 30 years behind bars.
Despite their pleas and lengthy testimony, both were denied, meaning they will remain in prison for the foreseeable future. However, with administrative reviews and future hearings possible, their fight for release is not completely over.
