Erik and Lyle Menendez were denied parole following separate hearings in California this week, where they faced scrutiny regarding their long prison sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents. The brothers have claimed self-defense, citing prolonged sexual abuse by their father as a primary motive for the killings.
Erik Menendez, now 54, attended his hearing on Thursday, while 57-year-old Lyle appeared before a different panel the following day. Both hearings, conducted remotely, examined their behavior in prison rather than the murders directly. Key concerns included Erik’s involvement in fights, drug use, and a tax-fraud scheme during his incarceration. Parole commissioner Robert Barton emphasized this misconduct as indicative of a lack of self-awareness rather than Erik being a “model prisoner.”
During Lyle’s hearing, commissioner Julie Garland acknowledged his expressed remorse and changes made while in prison. However, she also pointed out that he continues to exhibit anti-social personality traits, including deception and rule-breaking. Both commissioners noted the brothers’ repeated violations of prison rules, particularly regarding the use of prohibited mobile phones.
In response to questioning about their actions, Erik reflected on his mindset at the time of the murders, stating that leaving home felt like a death sentence. He expressed deep remorse for the pain he inflicted on his family. Lyle also conveyed a sense of transformation over the decades but maintained that he believed his parents posed a threat to him at the time.
Support for the brothers surfaced during the hearings, with several relatives advocating for their release. An aunt even expressed a desire to reconcile before her terminal illness prevented her from doing so. Despite this support, both parole boards reiterated that personal circumstances do not negate the basis for their decisions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ez2j3jzgjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss