Erik Menendez’s daughter issues furious response after he and brother Lyle given major update at parole hearing
Erik Menendez’s daughter has spoken out after he and his brother Lyle received a major update at their respective parole hearings.
The two brothers' parole hearings came more than three decades after they were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in August 1989 in their $5 million Beverly Hills home.
They initially tried to pin the gruesome crime on the mafia before later claiming that the murder was self-defence, alleging that they'd feared for their lives and claiming that their father had sexually abused them both for years.
The Menendez brothers also alleged that José had threatened to kill them if they told anyone. However, prosecutors alleged that the brothers’ motive was greed, referencing their spending spree after the double murder.
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Now, while they were initially sentenced to life in prison without parole, a judge later resentenced Erik and Lyle to 50 years to life in May of this year.
This made them immediately eligible for parole because they were under 26 at the time of the murders, with Lyle being 21 at the time, while his younger brother, Erik, was 18.
Parole hearing verdict
Erik had his parole denied late last week ( 21 August), with a spokesperson for the brothers saying: "While we respect the decision, today’s outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for.
"But our belief in Erik remains unwavering and we know he will take the Board’s recommendation in stride. His remorse, growth, and the positive impact he’s had on others speak for themselves. We will continue to stand by him and hold to the hope he is able to return home soon."
The following day (22 August), Lyle was also denied parole.
Erik Mendendez's stepdaughter speaks out
Erik's stepdaughter from his marriage to Tammi Menendez has since taken to social media to issue a few statements following the news and the subsequent fallout.
She wrote on her Instagram Stories on Thursday (21 August): "How is my dad a threat to society!!!!!! A 3 years denial???? Hell is about the break loose!!!!!! Wrong move RJ Donovan."
During his parole hearing, it was ruled that Erik still represented a risk to public safety. Talia then called for people to join her at a 'peaceful protest' at the facility, but she continued to say she'd give the 'parole board the benefit of the doubt' before Lyle's hearing on Friday.
Writing on her Instagram Stories over the weekend (24 August), Talia wrote: "If you see someone reposting false information, please say something and report the post.
The parole hearings came more than three decades after they were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents (California Department of Corrections via Getty Images)
"If you see someone posting the illegal recordings that were released please say something and report the post."
She continued: "People don't understand how this feels to be seeing all of this and to still not have justice. This was just another way to torment our family in the worst way possible."
Talia rounded off, telling viewers: "Updating you all soon on the many things that happened during the parole hearings.
"For now I am taking a break until we know more."
"Don't stop fighting," she concluded. "I love you all."
In a previous post, just after Lyle's hearing, Talia wrote that she was 'praying for my uncle Lyle' after he 'got the same verdict' as Erik.
She said she was 'extremely saddened' by the parole board’s decision, adding: "You can all judge me for being angry. I’m standing on 10 toes for our family … We will not stop until they are free. Our fight is not over."
In a follow-up post, Talia added that 'people can have different views of this being a win or not'.
She went on to share that she has 'been let down time and time again' and that this had been the 'highest her hopes had been' for Erik and Lyle to be set free - especially since they were 'getting older and older'.
Talia also claimed that the Menendez brothers have shown 'no violence' during their time behind bars and further expressed her wishes to see real action taken to set them free.
"Things start to change. This is deeper than surface level. Enough is enough," she added, concluding her message with a tornado emoji.
Attorney statement on Erik and Lyle Menendez's parole update
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman praised the decision, made by the California Board of Parole Hearings, arguing that it 'does justice for Jose and Kitty Menendez, the victims of the brutal murders carried out by their sons on Aug. 20, 1989'.
He said in a statement: "For more than three decades, both Erik and Lyle Menendez have advanced a false claim of self-defense, alleging they feared their parents were going to kill them, to justify the brutal murders of their parents - including shotgun blasts to their father’s back, a point-blank shot to their mother’s face, and shots to their kneecaps staged to mimic a Mafia killing.
"The record shows they suborned perjury, including soliciting others to make false claims that their father violently raped Lyle’s girlfriend and that their mother poisoned the family.
"The Board correctly determined that Erik Menendez’s actions speak louder than words, and that his conduct in prison and current mentality demonstrates that he still poses an unreasonable risk of danger to the community. Importantly, the Board did not bow to public spectacle or pressure, a restraint that upholds the dignity and integrity of the justice system."
Hochman added that Erik will be eligible for parole again in three years.
Topics: Menendez Brothers, True Crime, US News, Crime, News
Rhiannon Ingle