A California panel of judges yesterday ruled that Erik Menendez will remain behind bars for the murders of his parents in 1989.
The Menendez brothers have spent 35 years in prison, after being found guilty in 1996 of shooting their parents, Kitty and José Menendez, with shotguns in their Beverly Hills home, and sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole.
In recent years, however, the case has amassed something of a cult following - much of which is attributed to Ryan Murphy's 2024 true-crime Netflix drama Monsters, and the documentary, titled The Menendez Brothers, also available on Netflix.
Both Erik and Lyle alleged that they'd suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents, especially their father. And following a recent discovery of evidence that would support their abuse claims against their parents, Los Angeles prosecutors finally agreed to a resentencing hearing earlier this year.
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As we say, however, a ruling against Erik's release has since been made during a parole hearing, in which it was also declared that he'd spent at least another three years in prison.
The decision has been attributed to commissioners' beliefs that Erik has not been a model prisoner, as he and his supporters have portrayed him to be (via The New York Times).
The two-person panel also cited a 'lack of growth' on the prisoner's part, based on violations of prison rules and regulations, including the use of a mobile phone from his cell last year.
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Responding to this particular allegation, Erik told attendees, 'I really became addicted to the phones', adding, however, that the use of technology was 'not really harming anyone'.
"I knew of 50, 60 people that had phones. They were just available," he continued, claiming he only used the mobile phone to speak to his wife, listen to music, watch YouTube and view pornography.
"The phones were going to be sold, and I longed for that connection," Erik went on. "What I got in terms of the phone and my connection with the outside world was far greater than the consequences of me getting caught with the phone."
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Decision-makers - led by lead commissioner Robert Barton - also referenced Erik's use of drugs whilst incarcerated, as well as the tax fraud scheme he became embroiled in some years ago.
Burglaries he and Lyle conducted as teenagers in the years before the murders were also cited, along with the pair's initial attempt to cover up the murders.
It was also ruled that Erik still represented a risk to public safety.
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"Contrary to your supporters’ beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner," Barton told attendees. "And frankly, we find that a little disturbing."
Decision-makers were later commended by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who later stated: "This ruling does justice for Jose and Kitty Menendez, the victims of the brutal murders carried out by their sons."
Responding to the ruling in a final statement, Erik apologised to his relatives in court, branding both his crimes and the subsequent legal fallout 'a family tragedy'.
He continued: "I just want my family to understand that I am so unimaginably sorry for what I have put them through from Aug. 20, 1989, until this day, and this hearing.
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"I know that they have been here for me and they’re here for me today, but I want them to know that this should be about them.
"It’s about them and if I ever get the chance at freedom I want the healing to be about them."
A spokesperson for the Menendez family also said that whilst they respect the ruling, 'today’s outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for'.
The statement continued: "Our belief in Erik remains unwavering, and we know he will take the Board’s recommendation in stride."
Lyle Menendez's parole hearing will take place today.
Topics: Menendez Brothers, Crime, True Crime, US News
Rhianna Benson