Erik Menendez Denied Parole by California Board, Lyle Menendez Awaits Decision
San Diego, CA – August 22, 2025 – Erik Menendez, one of the infamous Menendez brothers convicted of the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, was denied parole on Thursday, August 21, 2025, by the California Board of Parole Hearings. The decision, announced after a nearly 10-hour virtual hearing at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, cited Erik’s prison misconduct, including possession of a contraband cellphone as recently as January 2025, and doubts about his full acceptance of responsibility for the crimes. Erik, now 54, will remain incarcerated for at least three more years, with eligibility for another parole hearing in 2028. His brother, Lyle Menendez, 57, faces his own parole hearing today, Friday, August 22, with a decision expected soon.
A High-Profile Denial
The parole board’s ruling marks a significant setback for Erik, who, along with Lyle, became eligible for parole in May 2025 after a Los Angeles judge resentenced them from life without parole to 50 years to life. This resentencing, prompted by former District Attorney George Gascón, was based on California’s youth offender laws, as the brothers were 18 and 21 at the time of the murders. The decision allowed them to seek parole for the first time, reigniting public interest in a case that captivated the nation in the 1990s.
During Thursday’s hearing, Parole Commissioner Robert Barton, a former Kern County district attorney, emphasized Erik’s prison behavior as a key factor in the denial. The board highlighted his “selfish” use of contraband cellphones to access YouTube, music, and pornography, with Barton stating, “Contrary to your supporters’ beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner.” They also pointed to Erik’s teenage criminal history, including burglaries, and the brutality of the murders, particularly the killing of Kitty Menendez, which Barton described as showing “a lack of empathy and reason.” Despite Erik’s claim during the hearing that the murders were not in self-defense, acknowledging “no justification” for the killings, the board concluded he poses an “unreasonable risk to public safety.”
Family Support and Public Reaction
The Menendez family, who have long advocated for the brothers’ release, expressed disappointment but unwavering support. “While we respect the decision, today’s outcome was of course disappointing,” they said in a statement, adding, “Our belief in Erik remains unwavering… His remorse, growth, and the positive impact he’s had on others speak for themselves.” They highlighted Erik’s prison programs, like mentoring inmates and aiding hospice care, and expressed hope for Lyle’s hearing, stating, “We remain cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the commissioner will see in Lyle what so many others have: a man who has taken responsibility, transformed his life, and is ready to come home.”
Public reaction has been polarized, fueled by renewed interest from Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and a 2024 documentary. Supporters, citing the brothers’ claims of sexual abuse by their father, rallied on social media, with X posts calling the denial “unfair” and praising their rehabilitation efforts. Critics, including Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, commended the board, with Hochman stating, “This ruling does justice for Jose and Kitty Menendez, the victims of the brutal murders carried out by their sons.” Hochman, who opposed parole, argued the brothers lack full insight into their crimes, comparing them to Sirhan Sirhan, whose parole was denied by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022 for similar reasons.
Lyle’s Hearing and Next Steps
Lyle Menendez’s parole hearing, set for Friday, August 22, will be evaluated independently, focusing on his prison conduct and rehabilitation. Like Erik, Lyle was cited for contraband cellphone possession, which raised their risk assessment to “moderate” from “low,” a point of contention for Hochman. If granted parole, Lyle’s case would face a 120-day review by the Board’s chief counsel, followed by a 30-day decision window for Governor Newsom, who has remained neutral to avoid bias. Newsom has previously reversed parole decisions, as seen with Sirhan Sirhan, citing “deficient insight.”
Even if parole is denied, the brothers have other legal avenues, including a habeas corpus petition filed in May 2023 seeking a new trial based on new evidence supporting their abuse claims. This petition remains pending, with a judge recently ordering prosecutors to respond.
A Case That Continues to Grip
The Menendez case, marked by a televised trial and allegations of abuse versus greed, remains a cultural touchstone. The brothers’ supporters, bolstered by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, argue their rehabilitation and abuse history warrant release, while prosecutors maintain the murders were motivated by a multimillion-dollar inheritance. As Lyle’s hearing unfolds, the nation watches closely, with the outcome poised to shape the next chapter of this decades-long saga.