TRIAL OF BROTHERS LYLE & ERIK MENENDEZ, PARRICIDES (Photo by Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)
URGENT UPDATE: Lyle Menendez has been denied parole by the California Parole Board, following a similar fate for his brother, Erik, just a day earlier. After 36 years of incarceration for the shocking 1989 murder of their parents in Beverly Hills, the Menendez brothers will remain behind bars for at least three more years.
The decision was made after a grueling 10-hour hearing on Friday night, where the board concluded that both brothers still pose a significant risk to public safety. This ruling follows a recent legal battle that saw their sentences reduced from life without parole to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole.
The Menendez brothers’ hopes for freedom were dashed once again after the board reviewed their past conduct in prison. Cited during Erik’s hearing were serious infractions, including gang involvement, possession of contraband cellphones, and drug smuggling. Lyle’s hearing highlighted his previous use of burner phones and past misconduct during his education at Princeton.
Despite being labeled a “model inmate” by prison officials, Lyle’s history—including plagiarism and witness bribery—was not enough to sway the board’s decision. Both brothers have expressed remorse, and family members have shown unwavering support, emphasizing the traumatic background that led to their crimes.
Their legal team is now pivoting to a habeas corpus petition, fueled by new evidence emerging from a 2023 Peacock documentary. This documentary revealed allegations of sexual abuse against the brothers by their father, Jose Menendez, and a letter from Erik affirming the ongoing abuse—information that was previously excluded from their trials.
The brothers’ final chance for freedom may rest with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has the authority to approve or reverse the parole board’s decision under a 1988 state law. If the board’s ruling undergoes an internal review, it could take up to 120 days, after which Newsom will have 30 days to make his determination.
As public interest continues to grow, this latest ruling adds another chapter to the complex and tragic story of the Menendez brothers. The emotional weight of their case resonates with many, raising questions about justice, rehabilitation, and the lasting impact of trauma.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
