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Lyle Menendez faced a parole hearing Friday, just one day after his brother Erik was denied his freedom by the board.
Erik, who was denied parole after a ten-hour hearing, will not be eligible to come back before the board again for three years.
On Friday night Lyle's parole was also denied.
The Menendez brothers have spent more than three decades in prison for the 1989 murders of their parents in a case that captivated public attention and sparked debate over justice, rehabilitation, and the impact of alleged abuse.
What to Know:
- Lyle Menendez is appearing before the California parole board via video link from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility on Friday.
- Originally sentenced to life without parole, the brothers were resentenced in May to 50 years to life, making them eligible under California's youthful offender law.
- Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman opposes their release, citing lack of full accountability and calling their self-defense claims "a litany of lies."
- Over 20 relatives have voiced support for the brothers, describing their remorse and rehabilitation as genuine and sustained.
- During their resentencing, both brothers admitted to the murders and expressed deep regret. Lyle acknowledged perjury during the original trial; Erik called his actions "atrocious."
- In 2023, the brothers filed a habeas corpus petition citing new evidence, including a letter from Erik detailing alleged abuse and claims from a former Menudo member. Hochman dismissed the petition as legally insufficient.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:27 PM EDT
Lyle Menendez Denied Parole
Lyle's parole was also denied on Friday night, according to NewsNation's Brian Entin.
The decision mirrors that of his brother's just one day before.
Aug 22, 2025 at 06:35 PM EDT
Lyle Menendez’s parole hearing continues
Lyle Menendez's parole hearing is continuing at the closed proceedings in California Friday.
Menendez is appearing before the California parole board via video link from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.
No audio or video recordings are permitted, and no reporting of the hearing is allowed, until its complete.
The panel will assess Menendez's rehabilitation, disciplinary record, and psychological evaluations before issuing a preliminary decision. Final approval rests with Governor Gavin Newsom.
It is not clear what time the hearing will end, but Erik Menendez's hearing on Thursday stretched on for around ten hours. The decision was announced before 10 p.m. ET.
Aug 22, 2025 at 06:09 PM EDT
Gavin Newsom has not seen Netflix drama based on Menendez brothers
California Governor Gavin Newsom has deliberately steered clear of Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, despite repeated suggestions to watch the dramatized account of the infamous 1989 murders.
The series, created by Ryan Murphy, premiered last September and reignited public interest in the case as the Menendez brothers face parole hearings this week.
Newsom, who holds final authority over any parole recommendation, addressed the issue on his podcast last month, explaining his decision to avoid the show. "I don't want to be persuaded by something that's not in the files," he said.
Aug 22, 2025 at 05:49 PM EDT
Parole board expected to deliver same-day decision
The parole board is expected to issue a same-day initial ruling at the end of Lyle Menendez's hearing.
That does not mean he would be released today, however, even if his parole is approved.
California law states that the parole board has up to 120 days to review and finalize its decision before it is sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom. He then has 30 days to grant or deny parole.
On Thursday, the decision on Erik Menendez's hearing was announced after 9 p.m. ET, following a ten-hour hearing.
Aug 22, 2025 at 05:33 PM EDT
Menendez family speak out ahead of parole hearing
The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez have thrown their full support behind the brothers ahead of their parole hearings this week.
"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."
Aug 22, 2025 at 05:15 PM EDT
LA DA praises parole decision in Kyle Menendez hearing
Los Angeles District Attorney Hochman praised the parole board for refusing Erik Menendez's request on Thursday.
"The California Board of Parole has rightly decided against granting parole to Erik Menendez, and I commend the Board for its thoughtful decision and for weighing all of the evidence and relevant parole factors," said Hochman, who has consistently opposed resentencing for the Menendez brothers.
"This ruling does justice for Jose and Kitty Menendez, the victims of the brutal murders carried out by their sons on Aug. 20, 1989. The prior administration's motion for resentencing failed to examine or consider whether the Menendez brothers have exhibited full insight into, and taken complete responsibility for, their crimes."
Hochman added that he believed Erik Menendez's "conduct in prison and current mentality demonstrates that he still poses an unreasonable risk of danger to the community."
"Importantly, the Board did not bow to public spectacle or pressure, a restraint that upholds the dignity and integrity of the justice system," he said.
"The Board's decision reflects a careful, evidence-based assessment of the facts and parole factors. While this parole hearing has been denied, he will have subsequent parole hearings, and our office will continue to attend and make the case on behalf of justice and public safety."
Aug 22, 2025 at 04:57 PM EDT
Next steps for Lyle Menendez if parole is granted
If the parole board does grant Lyle Menendez parole, it does not mean he will be immediately released.
There are a series of steps that must be completed, before he can walk free:
- Chief Legal Counsel Review: If the panel votes to grant parole, the decision enters a review phase by the board's chief legal counsel. This review focuses on detecting any legal or factual errors and typically takes up to 120 days.
- Governor's Final Approval: If the chief legal counsel upholds the parole recommendation, the case proceeds to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days to approve, modify, or reverse the decision.
- One Newsom has approved the decision, Lyle could finally be released from prison.
Aug 22, 2025 at 04:45 PM EDT
What happens next if Lyle Menendez is denied parole?
If Lyle Menendez is denied parole by the board, or the approval fails to pass chief counsel review or gain Gov. Gavin Newsom's approval, he will have the opportunity to try again for release.
Typically, if parole is denied to an inmate, the law mandates they should wait between three and 15 years before applying for parole again.
However, with Lyle only classed as a "moderate risk", he may be eligible for a shorter wait of just one year for the next review.
Lyle and his brother Erik also have a separate, pending habeas corpus petition, which seeks a re-examination of their convictions based on new evidence—particularly related to alleged abuse by their father. This could potentially impact their legal status regardless of the parole outcome.
Aug 22, 2025 at 04:30 PM EDT
WATCH: Erik Menendez’s high school friend breaks silence
Aug 22, 2025 at 04:18 PM EDT
How old are the Menendez brothers?
Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted in 1996 for the shotgun murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills home, are now eligible for parole after nearly 30 years in prison. At the time of the 1989 killings, Erik was 18 and Lyle was 21. Both admitted to the crime but claimed they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse by their father.
Their appeals were repeatedly denied until 2023, when new evidence supporting their abuse claims reignited public interest. A Netflix docuseries and dramatization further amplified sympathy for the brothers, prompting then–Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón to recommend resentencing.
In May 2024, a judge reduced their sentences to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law.
Now in their 50s, the Menendez brothers await separate hearings that could determine whether they are released after decades of incarceration.
Aug 22, 2025 at 03:58 PM EDT
‘Justice should never be swayed by spectacle’: Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has remained firmly opposed to the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are seeking parole after more than three decades in prison for the 1989 murders of their parents. Hochman attempted to block their resentencing and reiterated this week that "justice should never be swayed by spectacle," though his office pledged to assess the evidence presented during the hearings.
The brothers' fate now lies with California's Board of Parole Hearings and Governor Gavin Newsom. If denied, the panel must set a new hearing date between three and fifteen years. If granted, Newsom has 30 days to affirm, reverse, or modify the decision.
On his podcast in July, Newsom said he would decide by Labor Day and confirmed he had avoided watching the Netflix dramatization of the case to preserve impartiality. Defense attorney Mark Geragos acknowledged the possibility of split outcomes but argued both brothers merit release based on their rehabilitation and conduct behind bars.
Aug 22, 2025 at 03:57 PM EDT
Lyle Menendez faces parole board after Erik’s denial raises legal questions
Lyle Menendez is set to appear before a California parole board just one day after his younger brother Erik was denied release following a 10-hour hearing. Legal experts say Lyle may face a similar outcome unless his record behind bars shows meaningful differences.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told PEOPLE, "I would be surprised if it were different," noting that both brothers are "so similarly situated." He added that a split decision would be "a miscarriage of justice" unless Lyle's commissioners or prison conduct differ significantly.
Erik was denied parole due to disciplinary violations, including drug use, cellphone possession, and involvement in a tax fraud scheme. Commissioner Robert Barton also cited the brutality of the murders, calling the killing of their mother "devoid of human compassion."
Both brothers were convicted in 1996 for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, and sentenced to life without parole. A May 2025 resentencing reduced their terms to 50 years to life, making them eligible under California's youthful offender law.
While the Menendez brothers have long claimed they acted in self-defense after years of abuse, prosecutors argued the motive was financial. Rahmani said the abuse claims do not meet the legal threshold for justifying deadly force.
If Lyle is also denied parole, the brothers could still pursue release through a pending habeas corpus petition or clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom. Erik will be eligible for another hearing in three years.
Aug 22, 2025 at 03:43 PM EDT
What to know about Lyle Menendez
Lyle Menéndez, born Joseph Lyle Menéndez on January 10, 1968, grew up in New York before his family relocated to Beverly Hills, California. He was the eldest son of José and Kitty Menéndez, who provided their children with a privileged lifestyle built on José's success as an entertainment executive.
Despite the outward image of wealth and success, Lyle and his brother Erik later claimed that their childhood was marked by years of strict control and abuse, which would become central to their defense after the murders.
On August 20, 1989, when Lyle was 21 years old, he and Erik brutally shot and killed their parents in the family's Beverly Hills mansion, a trial found. At first, they claimed to have discovered the bodies after returning from a movie. Still, suspicions grew as they began spending vast amounts of their inheritance on luxury items, travel, and investments. In 1990, they were arrested after Erik confessed to his psychologist. Their first trials ended in hung juries, but in 1996, both brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Aug 22, 2025 at 03:27 PM EDT
Are the Menendez brothers in the same prison?
Since 2018, Erik and Lyle Menendez have been housed together at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, following two decades in separate prisons. Their attorneys describe them as model inmates whose rehabilitative efforts have made a lasting impact.
A 2024 memo from former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, supporting their resentencing, credited both brothers as "incredible assets" to their prison community. Erik Menendez co-founded several programs, including Life Care and Hospice Connections, a victim empathy initiative, and a Twelve-Step Recovery and meditation class.
Lyle Menendez launched projects such as an inmate advisory bulletin, a mentorship group for youth offenders serving life sentences, and GreenSpace—a prison beautification effort involving murals and landscaping.
Attorney Mark Geragos said Erik's hospice program has become a statewide model, while Lyle's GreenSpace initiative will be a focal point in his parole hearing. These contributions are expected to play a key role as the parole board evaluates their suitability for release.
Aug 22, 2025 at 03:10 PM EDT
What could happen after if parole is granted
What could happen after if parole is granted
Even if Erik and Lyle Menendez are granted parole this week, their release won't be immediate. Under California law, any recommendation from the parole board is considered a "proposed decision" and must undergo a 120-day review by the board's chief counsel to check for legal or factual errors.
Once that review is complete, the case moves to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days to approve, reject, or modify the decision. Newsom previously ordered a risk assessment of the brothers in response to a clemency petition but has not indicated whether he supports their release.
The governor has overturned parole recommendations in other high-profile cases, making his role a critical final hurdle in the Menendez brothers' bid for freedom.Even if Lyle Menendez is granted parole this week, his release won't be immediate. Under California law, any recommendation from the parole board is considered a "proposed decision" and must undergo a 120-day review by the board's chief counsel to check for legal or factual errors.
Once that review is complete, the case moves to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days to approve, reject, or modify the decision. Newsom previously ordered a risk assessment of the brothers in response to a clemency petition but has not indicated whether he supports their release.
The governor has overturned parole recommendations in other high-profile cases, making his role a critical final hurdle in the Menendez brothers' bid for freedom.
Aug 22, 2025 at 02:52 PM EDT
What does ‘moderate risk’ mean for the Menendez brothers
The Menendez brothers were previously assessed as posing a "moderate risk" of violence on release from prison, by the board of parole commissioners risk assessment.
The label is part of a standardized risk-rating system used in California. This system places inmates into categories of low, moderate, or high risk of reoffending, based on psychological assessments, prison behavior, and other factors. Being classified as a moderate risk does not mean they are considered highly dangerous, but it does suggest there is a measurable possibility that they could engage in problematic or even violent behavior if released.
In the case of Lyle and Erik Menéndez, the designation stems largely from issues that occurred while they were incarcerated. For example, Erik was caught with an illegal cellphone earlier in 2025, and evaluators noted concerning behavioral traits in both brothers. Lyle was described as exhibiting narcissistic and antisocial tendencies, while Erik was considered vulnerable to outside influence. These details contributed to their being placed in the moderate category rather than low risk.
The parole board uses these risk ratings as one of many tools when determining whether someone is suitable for release. California law requires parole to be granted if the individual is no longer considered an unreasonable danger to the public. A moderate-risk label does not automatically disqualify someone from parole—in fact, many individuals rated at this level are eventually released—but it does mean that the board will scrutinize their record and rehabilitation progress more carefully.
If parole is denied, the brothers could face a three-year wait before another hearing. However, because of their moderate-risk status, they may be eligible for an earlier review after just one year. Ultimately, the rating serves as both a cautionary flag for the parole board and a reminder that the Menéndez brothers must demonstrate continued growth, stability, and accountability to prove they no longer pose a danger to society.
Aug 22, 2025 at 02:41 PM EDT
Menendez rule violations that could impact their parole hearings
Erik and Lyle Menendez have been almost model prisoners during their decades in prison, gaining college degrees behind bars and participating in volunteer programs and support groups.
Lyle has avoided being in a single prison fight.
However, Michael Beckman, a lawyer specializing in parole hearings, said that recent rule violations by the brothers could put their parole hearings in jeopardy.
LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in May that Lyle had been cited for having a cellphone on multiple occasions in 2024. Erik was also found with a cellphone in January.
"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," Beckman told Associated Press. "Add to that that cellphones are one of the three big bad rules violations along with violence and substance abuse."
Aug 22, 2025 at 02:32 PM EDT
How did the Menendez brothers kill Jose and Kitty Menendez?
On the night of August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez carried out the brutal murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, inside the family's Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers had purchased two 12-gauge shotguns just days before and used them in the attack. Their father, Jose, was sitting on the living room couch when the shooting began. He was struck in the back of the head at close range, killing him instantly.
As the gunfire erupted, Kitty tried to escape but she was shot in the leg, causing her to fall. The brothers continued firing at her repeatedly, hitting her in the chest, arms, and face until she was dead. The violence of the attack shocked investigators, leaving behind a grisly crime scene that revealed the sheer force and determination behind the killings.
Aug 22, 2025 at 02:15 PM EDT
Kris Jenner revealed she knew the Menendez brothers in the ’80s
The Kardashian family has a longer history with the Menendez brothers than expected.
On the season 6 premiere of The Kardashians on Hulu, in February, Kris Jenner revealed to daughters Kim, Kourtney, and Kendall that she knew the Menendez brothers in the 1980s.
After Kim, 44, mentioned that Ryan Murphy was working on his Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story — which explores the story behind the two men who killed their parents in 1989 — Kris chimed in, "Oh my God. You know I knew those guys? In the 80s?"
Kourtney, 45, asked if her mom knew the parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, but the 69-year-old momager clarified that Erik spent time at their Beverly Hills home with her ex-husband, the late Robert Kardashian.
"No. I knew the kids because Erik used to come over and play tennis with your dad on the weekends," the Kardashian matriarch told her daughters.
Read in full from Olivia Bellusci on Newsweek.
Aug 22, 2025 at 02:00 PM EDT
Do the Menendez brothers have kids?
Neither Erik nor Lyle have any biological children.
However, Erik is the stepfather to two girls from his wife Tammi Ruth Saccoman's previous marriage—Talia and Lisa. Erik Menendez and Saccoman married in 1999 in a prison ceremony.
Lyle does not have any stepchildren.
Aug 22, 2025 at 01:56 PM EDT
Are the Menendez brothers in the same prison?
Since 2018, Erik and Lyle Menendez have been housed together at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, following two decades in separate prisons. Their attorneys describe them as model inmates whose rehabilitative efforts have made a lasting impact.
A 2024 memo from former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, supporting their resentencing, credited both brothers as "incredible assets" to their prison community. Erik Menendez co-founded several programs, including Life Care and Hospice Connections, a victim empathy initiative, and a Twelve Step Recovery and meditation class.
Lyle Menendez launched projects such as an inmate advisory bulletin, a mentorship group for youth offenders serving life sentences, and GreenSpace—a prison beautification effort involving murals and landscaping.
Attorney Mark Geragos said Erik's hospice program has become a statewide model, while Lyle's GreenSpace initiative will be a focal point in his parole hearing. These contributions are expected to play a key role as the parole board evaluates their suitability for release.
Aug 22, 2025 at 01:38 PM EDT
What is the Menendez brothers’ net worth?
At the time of José and Kitty Menéndez's deaths, the Menendez brothers' parents, their estate was valued at around $14–14.5 million.
However, that fortune quickly dwindled. By April 1994, according to the Los Angeles Times, nearly $10.8 million had already been spent, with about half of that amount going toward legal fees for Erik and Lyle. Much of the money went to their high-profile defense, led by attorney Leslie Abramson, who argued that the brothers had endured years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
In the months following the murders, the brothers themselves also contributed to the rapid depletion of the estate. Town and Country reports they spent around $1 million within six months on lavish purchases, travel, and entertainment. Lyle bought three Rolex watches worth more than $15,000 the day before his parents' funeral, while Erik spent heavily on gambling and even paid $60,000 a year for a tennis coach in hopes of going professional.
The Menéndez family's properties further contributed to financial losses. Their Beverly Hills home, which sold in 1991 for $3.6 million, went for nearly $1.2 million less than its appraised value, with proceeds going toward the mortgage, taxes, and fees. Another house in Calabasas that had been appraised at $2.65 million sold for just $1.94 million in 1994, and it carried an $864,000 mortgage along with roughly $600,000 in unpaid taxes and additional trial costs. With so many debts and expenses, the once vast Menéndez fortune was essentially wiped out—leaving little to nothing behind.
Aug 22, 2025 at 01:19 PM EDT
How long have the Menendez brothers spent in prison?
The Menéndez brothers, Lyle and Erik, have been in prison for nearly three decades. They were convicted in March 1996 of first-degree murder for the killing of their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, and were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
As of 2025, they have spent 29 years behind bars.
For many years, the brothers were held in separate prisons. Lyle was sent to Mule Creek State Prison, while Erik was incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison. In 2018, after nearly two decades apart, they were reunited at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, where they now remain in the same housing unit.
Aug 22, 2025 at 01:04 PM EDT
WATCH: ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ official trailer
Aug 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM EDT
Parole puts Menendez family in the spotlight
As Lyle Menendez faces his parole hearing, the central question before California's parole board is whether he poses an unreasonable risk to public safety if released. The hearing will include testimony from those familiar with his rehabilitation, including family members who have long advocated for his freedom.
Among them is cousin Anamaria Baralt, who testified during the Menendez brothers' resentencing in spring 2025 and remains a vocal supporter. "We have to go through the parole process, which is going to be very difficult for the family," she said. "We will eagerly step through those doors if that means getting them home."
The board will weigh decades of prison records, psychological evaluations, and personal statements before issuing a recommendation. Even if parole is granted, the final decision rests with Governor Gavin Newsom.
Aug 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM EDT
No audio or video access today
As Lyle Menendez faces separate parole hearings this week, the proceedings will be conducted privately, with no audio or video recordings permitted. Each session will include two to three parole panel members, the brothers themselves, their parole attorney, and select family members. A representative from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office is also expected to attend.
The hearings, held via videoconference from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, are part of California's standard parole review process. While the sessions are closed to the public, transcripts will be generated for internal review. The panel will assess each brother's rehabilitation, disciplinary record, and psychological evaluations before issuing a preliminary decision. Final approval rests with Governor Gavin Newsom.
Aug 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM EDT
Are the Menendez brothers married?
Erik married Tammi Saccoman in 1999 while serving his sentence after they spent years corresponding, beginning in 1993.
They are still married.
"Tammi's love has propelled me to become a better person. I want to be the greatest possible husband to her," Erik told PEOPLE in 2005. "And this affects the choices I make every day in prison. Tammi has taught me how to be a good husband."
Lyle married Anna Eriksson,a former salon receptionist turned model, in 1996, on the day he was sentenced. The pair wed via speakerphone from prison.
Eriksson later filed for divorce in 2001, alleging that Lyle had been sending letters to other women without her knowledge.
He later married Rebecca Sneed from prison in 2003, having known her for about a decade. They separated in late 2024 but appear to have remained friendly, and she continues to support him publicly and manage aspects of his social media and legal advocacy.
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM EDT
Gavin Newsom has not seen Netflix drama based on Menendez brothers
California Governor Gavin Newsom has deliberately steered clear of Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, despite repeated suggestions to watch the dramatized account of the infamous 1989 murders.
The series, created by Ryan Murphy, premiered last September and reignited public interest in the case as the Menendez brothers face parole hearings this week.
Newsom, who holds final authority over any parole recommendation, addressed the issue on his podcast last month, explaining his decision to avoid the show. "I don't want to be persuaded by something that's not in the files," he said.
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM EDT
How old were the Menendez brothers when they killed their parents?
Erik and Lyle Menendez were young men when they murdered their parents in Beverly Hills more than three decades ago.
Lyle, the older brother, was 20 years old when Kitty and José Menendez were killed on August 20, 1989. Erik was 18.
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:51 AM EDT
Gov. Newsom has stayed neutral on Menendez brothers parole so far
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has stayed neutral in the debate on whether the Menendez brothers should be granted parole - a decision that will eventually be his if the parole board approves their request.
Newsom previously ordered the state parole board to complete a "comprehensive risk assessment investigation" in February, to determine if the Menendezes would pose an "an unreasonable risk to the public" upon release.
In July, on an episode of podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom," he said he had intentionally avoided the Netflix series about the brothers to avoid being influenced.
"I kept having a temptation to want to see it, but with the recognition always in the back of my mind that this thing may land on my desk," Newsom said. "I don't want to be persuaded by something that's not in the files."
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM EDT
Who are the Menendez brothers?
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of murdering their glamorous parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. Their father, José, a wealthy Cuban-American entertainment executive, lived a life of privilege in Beverly Hills, while their mother, Kitty, was a former schoolteacher and homemaker.
On the night of August 20, 1989, the brothers shot and killed their parents in the family's mansion using shotguns, the trial heard. At first, they claimed they had discovered the bodies after returning from a movie, and for months, they were not seen as suspects. During this period, they spent large amounts of their inheritance on luxury items, cars, and trips, raising public suspicion about their motives.
In 1990, Erik confessed to his psychologist, and this ultimately led to the brothers' arrests. Their first trial in the early 1990s ended in two hung juries, as their defense argued that the killings were the result of years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse by their father. The prosecution, however, claimed the murders were financially motivated. At their second trial in 1995, both brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The case drew widespread attention because of its sensational mix of wealth, violence, and claims of family abuse. Televised trials turned the Menendez brothers into household names, sparking debates over whether they were cold-blooded killers or victims driven to desperation. Over the years, their story has been revisited in documentaries, TV shows, and, more recently, social media platforms like TikTok, where younger audiences have rediscovered the case.
Today, Lyle and Erik are serving life sentences in California. After being housed in separate prisons for more than two decades, they were reunited in 2018 and are now in the same unit.
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:38 AM EDT
WATCH: LA district attorney says Menendez’s self-defense claim is ‘lie’
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:25 AM EDT
Menendez parole decisions face months of legal review before final outcome
Even if the California parole board recommends release for Lyle or Erik Menendez, their path to freedom remains far from guaranteed. Under state law, the board's chief counsel must first conduct a legal review of the decision, a process that can take up to 120 days.
Only after that review is complete would Governor Gavin Newsom have 30 days to approve, modify, or reject the recommendation. Until both steps are finalized, neither brother can be released.
The timeline underscores the complexity of the parole process, especially in high-profile cases like the Menendez brothers', who were resentenced in May and are now seeking release after 36 years behind bars.
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:18 AM EDT
Erik and Lyle could get separate results
As Erik and Lyle Menendez face separate parole hearings, their distinct approaches to rehabilitation may influence the outcomes. While both were convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents, their time behind bars has followed different trajectories.
Erik Menendez, whose parole was denied, has focused on peer support, co-founding programs that assist fellow inmates, while Lyle Menendez, by contrast, has taken on leadership roles within the prison system, working closely with administrators.
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:18 AM EDT
What impacted Erik Menendez’s parole hearing? Relationship with his father and the murders
For years, Erik Menendez has said that he was sexually abused by his father. At the parole hearing, he said, "I fantasized about my father not being alive."
Prosecutors pressed him on why, at 18, he chose to kill his father rather than simply leave the family home. Menendez replied: "In my mind, leaving meant death. There was no consideration. I was totally convinced there was no place I could go." He also spoke about the constant fear he felt growing up under his father's control, saying, "It's difficult to convey how terrifying my father was."
The parole commissioners questioned Menendez about why his mother was also killed if his father had been the abuser.
He said that discovering his mother knew about the abuse shattered him: "It was the most devastating moment in my entire life. It changed everything for me. I had been protecting her by not telling her." On the decision to shoot her, he said, "I wish to God I did not do that."
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:07 AM EDT
What impacted Erik Menendez’s parole hearing? Prison conduct
Much of Thursday's hearing focused on Erik Menendez's conduct behind bars. Commissioners cited incidents involving alcohol use, alleged gang affiliation, and possession of a cellphone.
Asked why he risked using a phone, Menendez said, , "What I got in terms of the phone and my connection with the outside world was far greater than the consequences of me getting caught with the phone." On substance use, he said, "If I could numb my sadness with alcohol, I was going to do it...I would have taken other drugs to numb that pain...I was looking to ease that sadness within me."
Menendez said his life began to change in 2013 when he chose sobriety and turned to faith. "From 2013 on I was living for a different purpose. My purpose in life was to be a good person...I asked myself, 'Who do I want to be when I die?' I believe I'm going to face a different parole board when I die."
Aug 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM EDT
Menendez parole hearings closed to public and press
The parole hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez are being held under tight restrictions, with limited access for the public and media. Each hearing begins at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time and is conducted via video conference from the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, where the brothers are incarcerated.
No live feed is available, and only one journalist has been designated as a pool reporter, observing remotely from a state office. Outlets receiving updates from the pool are prohibited from publishing details until an official decision is announced.
The closed format underscores the high-profile nature of the proceedings, which come decades after the brothers were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989.
Aug 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM EDT
Why Erik Menendez was denied parole
Erik Menendez was denied parole by a two-member panel of California state parole commissioners after an all-day hearing Thursday.
Commissioners cited repeated prison rule violations—including allegations of cellphone use, alcohol and substance-related abuse, gang activity, fights, and a tax scam—as evidence he continued to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety, The Associated Press reported.
The decision marked the first parole denial for Erik since a judge in May reduced the brothers' original life-without-parole sentences to 50 years to life, a ruling that made both Erik and his brother Lyle immediately eligible for parole.
Commissioners framed their ruling around Menendez's conduct behind bars rather than the 1989 killings themselves, allowing him to seek reconsideration in three years.
Read in full from Robert Alexander on Newsweek.
Aug 22, 2025 at 10:48 AM EDT
Lyle Menendez faces parole board after brother’s bid denied
...
Lyle Menendez will appear before a California parole board on Friday, just one day after his younger brother Erik was denied release following a 10-hour hearing. The brothers were convicted in 1996 for the 1989 murders of their parents and became eligible for parole after a resentencing in May.
While a separate panel will conduct Lyle's hearing, Erik's outcome may influence the proceedings. Legal analyst Royal Oakes called the timing "grim news" for Lyle, who has long been viewed as the more dominant figure in the crime.
Erik's parole was denied in part due to a history of prison misconduct, including drug use and cellphone possession. Lyle has also been cited for having a cellphone, though it's unclear if his record includes similar infractions.
Lyle's panel will weigh his disciplinary history, psychological assessments, and participation in rehabilitation programs. He has earned two degrees through UC Irvine and held leadership roles in inmate government and support groups for abuse survivors.
The board will also revisit the details of the crime, including the brothers' planning and motive. If denied, Lyle could face a multi-year wait before another hearing. If granted parole, the decision would undergo further review before final approval.
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