Parole Board To Weigh Release Of Infamous Menendez Brothers
The Menendez brothers are now on the brink of a potential release, with the California parole board set to evaluate their cases individually beginning Thursday.
Lyle Menendez, 57, and Erik Menendez, 54, were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life without parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, inside their Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers have long maintained that the killings were the result of years of sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
From Life Without Parole to Parole Eligibility
Earlier this year, a Los Angeles judge resentenced both brothers to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole after more than three decades behind bars. Judge Michael Jesic acknowledged the “absolutely horrific” nature of the crime but pointed to their rehabilitation while incarcerated. He praised their conduct in prison, saying they had made positive contributions even when they believed there was “no hope of getting out.”
Parole Process and Political Implications
The parole board will weigh whether either man poses an “unreasonable risk of danger to society.” If granted parole, the decision must go through multiple layers of review, including the board’s chief legal counsel and, ultimately, Governor Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days to approve or deny.
The resentencing itself was controversial. Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón—who has faced criticism as a progressive prosecutor—initiated the process before losing reelection to Nathan Hochman. The new DA sought to reverse course, arguing the brothers’ claims of abuse were “lies” and that they had never fully admitted to the cover-up of their crimes.
Renewed Public Debate
The case has seen a resurgence in public attention, fueled by new documentaries and dramatizations on streaming platforms. Public opinion remains divided: some believe the brothers have paid their debt and reformed, while others insist that the brutality and deceit of the crime should keep them behind bars for life.
The coming decision from the parole board is expected to reignite debate over justice, rehabilitation, and whether sensational murder cases from decades past can ever truly be closed.
