Lyle Menendez Goes Before California Parole Panel One Day After His Brother Was Denied

One time aft officials successful California rejected Erik Menendez’s bid for parole, his older relative will look earlier commissioners Friday and dream for a different outcome.

Lyle Menendez’s proceeding is scheduled to statesman Friday morning, hours aft California’s parole committee concluded that Erik, 54, poses an “unreasonable risk” to beryllium freed.

The brothers’ family said Thursday that they were disappointed but trying to stay optimistic erstwhile Lyle, 57, goes earlier nan parole committee panel.

Erik Menendez virtually attends nan commencement of his parole proceeding Thursday.California Corrections Department

"While it is undoubtedly difficult, we stay cautiously optimistic and hopeful that nan commissioner will spot successful Lyle what truthful galore others have: a man who has taken responsibility, transformed his life, and is fresh to travel home," nan family members said successful a statement.

Erik Menendez was denied parole 3 months aft a Los Angeles judge concluded that nan brothers do not airs an “unreasonable risk” and resentenced them to 50 years to life for nan 1989 murders of their parents — a determination that efficaciously canceled their erstwhile situation position of life without nan anticipation of parole and made them eligible for “suitability” hearings immediately.

The brothers were convicted of first-degree execution aft 2 sensational tests that spanned 3 years successful nan mid-1990s. The first, which was televised, ended pinch a hung jury.

Both testified successful nan first proceedings, claiming they killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, successful self-defense aft years of maltreatment astatine their father’s hands. Only Erik testified astatine nan 2nd trial, which ended pinch convictions successful 1996.

Prosecutors have disputed their claims of self-defense and pointed to nan grim specifics of nan killings — Lyle reloaded his shotgun earlier he changeable his mother successful nan look — and they described nan killings arsenic ruthless and financially motivated.

Speaking astatine nan resentencing hearing, Erik described his crimes arsenic “cruel and vicious” and said he was “directly responsible for it all.”

Their lawsuit was catapulted backmost into nan spotlight aft a brace of streaming bid and defense from immoderate high-profile figures and relatives. The effort to unafraid their merchandise has highlighted nan sometimes analyzable statement complete rehabilitation versus incarceration.

Many family members person been outspoken advocates for nan brothers’ freedom.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has had different views connected nan brothers’ push for freedom. Weeks earlier his ouster past year, nan county’s erstwhile apical prosecutor, George Gascón, said nan siblings had been “exceptional” inmates and recommended that they beryllium resentenced.

His successor, Nathan Hochman, tried — and grounded — to retreat that recommendation. He said nan siblings had not taken work for much than a twelve lies he said they told astir nan murders, including nan declare that they killed their parents successful self-defense.

Denial for Erik Menendez

In denying parole for Erik Menendez, Parole Commissioner Robert Barton, who presided complete nan hearing, said he was impressed by nan statements of support from family members.

“Two things tin beryllium true," Barton said. "They tin emotion and forgive you, and you tin still beryllium recovered unsuitable for parole.”

The determination is simply a minimal denial for 3 years, but Erik Menendez has nan correct to petition to advance, meaning he could extremity up earlier nan committee earlier.

Barton cited violations successful custody regarding cellphones arsenic a facet successful nan decision. Prison rules violations besides included inappropriate behaviour pinch visitors, supplier smuggling and misuse of authorities computers, he said.

“Contrary to your supporters' beliefs, you person not been a exemplary prisoner, and frankly we find that a small disturbing,” Barton said.

Barton said nan seriousness of nan murders is “not a superior logic for this denial. It’s still your behaviour successful prison.”

"You person 2 options," Barton told Erik Menendez. "One is to person a pity statement ... and past you go a self-fulfilling prophecy, astir apt not getting granted adjacent time. Or you tin return to bosom what we discussed.”