Lyle Menendez has been denied launch from jail by the California Parole Board, simply at some point after his youthful brother, Erik Menendez, additionally had his parole request rejected.
The 2 brothers, who had been convicted of killing their mother and father in 1989, will now stay behind bars for no less than three extra years.
Lyle’s parole listening to passed off on Friday and lasted ten hours. On the finish of the session, the Board dominated that he nonetheless poses a threat to public security. The choice follows their resentencing in Might, when each brothers had their life sentences with out parole modified to 50 years to life — making them instantly eligible for parole consideration.
Why had been their parole requests denied?
Through the listening to, the Board centered on Lyle’s previous jail rule violations, notably his long-term use of unlawful cell phones between 2018 and 2024. Although none of those violations had been current, they had been seen as critical and undermined his probabilities of launch.
Deputy Parole Commissioner Patrick Reardon confirmed Lyle had a cellphone “almost on a regular basis” throughout these years.
“Residents are anticipated to observe the foundations whether or not or not there may be some incentive to take action,” mentioned Commissioner Julie Garner, explaining the Board’s choice.
Lyle’s jail report is barely higher than Erik’s, who has a historical past of involvement with jail gangs, smuggling medicine, and inappropriate behaviour with guests.
Nevertheless, the Board concluded that even Lyle’s efforts to help different inmates and keep good behaviour extra just lately weren’t sufficient to justify parole.
Why did the Menendez brothers kill their mother and father?
In his assertion to the Board, Lyle spoke emotionally about his household, claiming he was abused by his father, Jose Menendez, between the ages of six and eight. He mentioned the abuse later shifted to Erik, whom he tried to guard. Lyle additionally admitted to abusing Erik once they had been youthful, saying, “I don’t know why I did it. I believe I used to be simply making an attempt to launch it from me.”
The brothers’ attorneys now plan to pursue a habeas corpus petition in courtroom. They argue that new proof, revealed in a 2023 documentary sequence, helps the unique defence that the Menendez brothers had been victims of long-term sexual abuse by their father.
This proof features a letter from Erik to a cousin and a sworn statement from a former member of the boy band Menudo, who additionally claimed to have been abused by Jose Menendez.
Regardless of rising public sympathy and help from members of the family over time, the parole board concluded that the brothers aren’t but appropriate for launch. They are going to be eligible to use once more in three years.
