Menendez Brothers Begin Crucial Parole Hearings Decades After Notorious Murders

Erik and Lyle Menendez are currently undergoing pivotal parole hearings, marking the closest they’ve come to freedom after nearly three decades behind bars for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Erik Menendez’s hearing commenced on Thursday, with Lyle Menendez’s review scheduled for Friday from a San Diego prison, as a panel of parole officers evaluates their potential release.

Sentenced to life in 1996, the brothers became eligible for parole following a May ruling by a Los Angeles judge that reduced their sentences to 50 years to life. This re-sentencing stemmed from a California law making individuals under 26 at the time of their crimes immediately eligible for parole under certain conditions. Their original defense argued self-defense due to alleged paternal abuse, while prosecutors maintained the motive was a multi-million-dollar inheritance.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s board is assessing whether the brothers pose an ‘unreasonable risk of danger to society,’ considering factors like their criminal history, motivation, remorse, prison conduct, and future plans. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has vocally opposed their release, citing a perceived lack of full responsibility for their crimes and ongoing risk to society.

Even if parole is granted this week, the path to freedom remains lengthy. A chief legal counsel has 120 days to review the board’s decision, followed by a 30-day period for Governor Gavin Newsom to affirm or deny the parole. Newsom, who previously ordered a risk assessment for the brothers in response to a clemency request, has stated he is the ‘ultimate arbiter’ in such cases.

The Menendez case continues to captivate public attention, fueled by recent documentaries, dramatizations, and celebrity support, including Kim Kardashian. A growing movement advocating for their release, often citing the abuse claims, has seen supporters rally in Los Angeles. This renewed scrutiny also follows a previous LA county district attorney’s move to push for sentence reduction, acknowledging the brothers’ positive behavior and participation in self-help programs during their incarceration.

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