Parole Denied: Erik Menendez to Remain Behind Bars After 10-Hour Hearing
Erik Menendez, convicted in the brutal 1989 murders of his parents, has been denied parole following a marathon 10-hour hearing before the California Parole Board. The board ruled Thursday that the 54-year-old still poses “an unreasonable risk to public safety.” He will not be eligible for another hearing for three years.
Menendez, along with his older brother Lyle, was convicted of murdering Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home. Lyle, now 57, faces his own parole hearing on Friday.
Board Cites Misconduct and Risk
Parole Board Commissioner Robert Barton acknowledged the support Menendez received from family members but said the panel had to weigh his entire record — not just claims of rehabilitation.
“I believe in redemption,” Barton said. “But based on the legal standards, we find that you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.” He pointed to a history of disciplinary violations in prison, including drug smuggling, inappropriate conduct with visitors, misuse of technology, and violence.
Family Reacts With Disappointment
Members of the Menendez family expressed disappointment but said they remained supportive of Erik.
“Today’s outcome was, of course, disappointing and not what we hoped for,” they said in a statement. “But our belief in Erik remains unwavering… We will continue to stand by him and hold to the hope he is able to return home soon.”
Claims of Abuse and Resentencing
The Menendez brothers have long claimed the killings were the result of years of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse by their father. While initially sentenced to life without parole, both were resentenced last year to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole consideration for the first time.
Los Angeles Judge Michael Jesic, who granted the resentencing, acknowledged the gravity of the crimes but said both brothers had made notable efforts to rehabilitate while serving time.
“Life without parole gives an inmate no hope, no reason to do anything good,” Jesic said. “And I give them a lot of credit. It’s remarkable what they did when they had no hope of getting out.”
New DA Reverses Course
The resentencing push was initiated by former L.A. District Attorney George Gascón, but his successor, Nathan Hochman, has taken a much tougher stance.
In March, Hochman moved to withdraw the resentencing petition entirely, dismissing the brothers’ claims of self-defense as “lies.”
“The Menendez brothers have failed to come clean with the full extent of their criminal conduct, their cover-up, their lies and their deceit,” Hochman said.
Lyle Menendez’s parole hearing is expected to draw similar scrutiny.