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Menendez Brothers Parole Hearings Begin This Week
Nearly three decades after their conviction for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, Erik and Lyle Menendez are scheduled to appear before the California parole board this week. Their sentences were recently reduced to 50 years to life, granting them eligibility for parole under California’s youth offender law.
Erik’s hearing is set for Thursday morning, followed by Lyle’s on Friday. Both brothers will appear virtually from the Richard J.
Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. They will argue they are no longer a threat to public safety, accept full responsibility for their crimes, and will not re-offend.
Their attorney, Mark Geragos, emphasizes the hearings should focus on their redemption, not a re-examination of the case. Several family members have publicly forgiven the brothers and support their release.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, strongly opposes their release. He contends the brothers continue to lie about alleged abuse and haven’t fully accepted responsibility for the murders.
Hochman recently filed a detailed response opposing their pending petition for a new trial, which cites new evidence of alleged abuse by Jose Menendez. This new evidence includes allegations from a former Menudo band member and a letter written by Erik before the murders.
Hochman maintains the brothers remain a risk to society and are not fully rehabilitated. He stresses parole decisions should be based on facts and law, urging a critical view of the case despite renewed public interest sparked by recent documentaries and films.
During the parole hearings, a panel will assess whether each brother poses an “unreasonable risk of danger to society” if released. The board’s decision can be reviewed by its chief counsel within 120 days.
If parole is granted, Governor Gavin Newsom has 30 days to approve or deny the decision. Only with the Governor’s approval would the brothers be released.
If denied parole, they can seek release in future hearings, typically scheduled three, five, seven, 10, or 15 years later, though petitions for earlier hearings based on new information are possible. In 2024, the parole board granted parole in 31% of its hearings.
Governor Newsom has final say on the parole board’s recommendation. He has the authority to affirm, reverse, or modify any parole decision for convicted murderers.
Newsom has not publicly commented on the Menendez case, stating he will consider the board’s recommendation before making a decision. He has previously rejected parole recommendations for Sirhan Sirhan and Leslie Van Houten.