Menendez Brothers Denied Parole After Dramatic Hearings Marred by Leaked Audio
Menendez Brothers Denied Parole After Dramatic Hearings Marred by Leaked Audio
In a week filled with high-stakes parole hearings, brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez were both denied freedom, marking the first time since their 1989 convictions that they had a chance at release. The proceedings, tightly controlled by state prison officials, were thrown into disarray on Friday following the unexpected public release of an audio recording from Erik’s hearing, held the previous day.
The disclosure of Erik’s parole hearing audio, inadvertently released by ABC7 in response to a public records request, sparked outrage and temporarily halted Lyle’s ongoing hearing. Relatives and attorneys for the brothers accused officials of creating a ‘spectacle,’ with parole attorney Heidi Rummel arguing the hearing was no longer fair. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed the audio was ‘erroneously’ released.
Despite the dramatic interruption and objections, the parole board proceeded with its decisions. Erik Menendez, 54, was denied parole after an extensive session on Thursday, during which he was questioned about prison rule violations. Lyle Menendez, 57, also had his request for parole rejected late Friday evening. Both brothers will be eligible for parole again in three years, with the possibility of petitioning for an earlier hearing in one year.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.