Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989, have both sensationally been denied parole, despite a judge giving them the chance to be released, and family members supporting their bid for freedom.
Back in May 2025, the brothers’ sentences of life without parole were reduced by Judge Michael Jeslic to 50 years to life.
It meant the two killers – whose case has captivated the world – were eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law.
The brothers have never denied committing the slayings, instead maintaining they were forced to act in self-defence after suffering years of sexual abuse at the hands of José.
On August 21, a panel of commissioners in California ruled that Erik would remain in prison for another three years, after which he will be eligible for parole again.
The parole board argued that Erik’s misbehaviour in prison – using his mobile phone for example – demonstrated that he posed a risk to public safety.
“The board correctly determined that Erik Menendez’s actions speak louder than words, and that his conduct in prison and current mentality demonstrates that he still poses an unreasonable risk of danger to the community,” commissioner Robert Barton said in a statement.
A day later, the parole board also denied the release of Lyle.
“I would never call myself a model incarcerated person” – Lyle Menendez
Just as had happened in his brother’s hearing, the panel focused on Lyle’s use of a mobile phone in prison – he was caught using one as recently as March 2025.
“I had convinced myself that this wasn’t a means that was harming anyone but myself in a rule violation,” Lyle told the panel.
“I would never call myself a model incarcerated person. I would say that I’m a good person, that I spent my time helping people. … I’m the guy that officers will come to to resolve conflicts.”
But commissioner Julie Garland said that while Lyle had been a “model inmate” in many ways, he still had “anti-social personality traits like deception, minimisation and rule breaking that lie beneath that positive surface”.
The verdicts mean Erik and Lyle won’t be eligible for parole again until 2028, although the decisions will be reviewed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who can choose to reverse them, or ratify them.
Erik and Lyle were 18 and 21 at the time they killed their parents, and have since expressed remorse for their actions.
In a previous statement to the court, Lyle said, “I killed my mom and dad. I make no excuses and also no justification. The impact of my violent actions on my family … is unfathomable.”
Addressing his parents in court, Erik said: “You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better.”
At the time of reducing the brothers’ sentences, Judge Jesic said he had given “long thought” to his decision.
“I do give them a lot of credit for changing their lives,” he said.
“I’m not saying they should be released; it’s not for me to decide. I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years that they should get that chance.”
Members of the wider Menendez family have supported the brothers in their quest for freedom.
José’s sister, Erik and Lyle’s aunt, Terry Baralt, was one family member to have previously spoken out, telling ABC News, “It’s time”.
“Thirty-five years is a long time. It’s a whole branch of my family erased.”
“For everybody, this is a story. For me, it’s very personal. Those kids, they’re like the boys that I didn’t have.”
