Erik Menendez was denied parole throughout his first-ever parole listening to on Thursday, 36 years and sooner or later after he and his brother killed their mother and father, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Erik Menendez, 54, attended the practically 10-hour listening to through video from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The board mentioned he can subsequent be eligible for parole in three years.
The board primarily based its choice on a number of elements, together with: his conduct in jail; burglaries he participated in earlier than the murders; and the killing of his mom.
Erik Menendez attends his Board of Parole listening to on-line from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, Calif., on Aug. 21, 2025.
California Division Of Corrections through Reuters
“The killing of your mom particularly confirmed a scarcity of empathy and motive,” Commissioner Robert Barton mentioned.
Barton famous that Erik Menendez may’ve left his mother and father’ dwelling, since he was 18, and will have gone to the police or stayed with kin.
“We acknowledge and perceive that many sexual assault victims discover it exhausting to return ahead, particularly when the perpetrators are relations,” Barton added
Erik Menendez mentioned he shot his mom as a result of she had “betrayed him.”
“I noticed my mom and my father as one particular person after I realized that she knew [about Jose Menendez allegedly sexually abusing him], so once I was working into the den, I used to be in a state of terror, of panic, of rage,” he mentioned.
Barton famous that it’s Erik Menendez’s conduct in jail, not the seriousness of the crime, that’s the “major motive for this denial.”
“Opposite to your supporters’ beliefs, you haven’t been a mannequin prisoner, and albeit, we discover that a bit disturbing,” Barton mentioned.
Barton famous Erik Menendez’s inappropriate conduct with guests, drug smuggling, misuse of state computer systems and violence incidents. The board additionally took situation with Erik Menendez illegally utilizing cellphones whereas main rehabilitative teams.
“We discover that you just proceed to pose an unreasonable threat to public security,” Barton mentioned.
After denying him parole, Barton mentioned to Erik Menendez, “You’ve gotten two choices: one is to have a pity social gathering … and you then turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy, most likely not getting granted [parole] subsequent time. Or you possibly can take to coronary heart what we mentioned.”
“I hope that the folks which might be on the market supporting you proceed to encourage you,” Barton mentioned.
Erik Menendez, Oct. 10, 2024.
CDCR
Erik Menendez’s aunt and Jose Menendez’s sister, Terry Baralt, mentioned on the listening to, “Though I really like my brother, I’ve absolutely forgiven Erik. … Erik carries himself with kindness, integrity and power that comes from endurance and charm.”
Baralt, 85, who’s battling colon most cancers, added, “Greater than something, I hope I dwell lengthy sufficient to welcome him into my dwelling, to take a seat on the similar desk, to wrap my arms round him.”
Erik Menendez’s kin, who’ve been pushing for his launch, mentioned in a press release after the listening to, “Whereas we respect the choice, as we speak’s consequence was after all disappointing and never what we hoped for. However our perception in Erik stays unwavering and we all know he’ll take the Board’s suggestion in stride. His regret, progress, and the constructive affect he is had on others converse for themselves. We are going to proceed to face by him and maintain to the hope he is ready to return dwelling quickly.”
Barton mentioned he was amazed by the help from Erik Menendez’s kin, however he added, “Two issues will be true — they’ll love and forgive you, and you’ll nonetheless be discovered unsuitable for parole.”
The parole listening to for his brother, 57-year-old Lyle Menendez, can be on Friday.
“Tomorrow, we flip our consideration to Lyle’s listening to,” the assertion from the brothers’ kin continued. “And whereas it’s undoubtedly troublesome, we stay cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the commissioner will see in Lyle what so many others have: a person who has taken accountability, reworked his life, and is able to come dwelling.”
This mixture of two reserving pictures supplied by the California Division of Corrections exhibits Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez.
California Dept. of Corrections through AP
The board members’ choice centered on one query: would Erik Menendez pose an unreasonable threat to society if launched?
Los Angeles County District Lawyer Nathan Hochman opposed the Menendez brothers’ launch, claiming they “haven’t demonstrated full perception into their crimes or proven that they’ve been absolutely rehabilitated, and subsequently proceed to pose a threat to society.”
A lately accomplished threat evaluation mentioned Erik and Lyle Menendez posed a reasonable threat to the neighborhood if launched.
The evaluation revealed the brothers possessed unlawful cellphones in jail, amongst quite a few different violations, although many usually are not current. Nonetheless, Erik Menendez had a cellphone as lately as January of this yr, which Hochman harassed was throughout the resentencing effort when he ought to have been on his greatest conduct.
Barton mentioned he thought of the danger evaluation report back to be impartial.
The brothers had been initially sentenced to life with out the potential for parole for the 1989 murders. Lyle Menendez was 21 and Erik Menendez was 18 on the time, and the brothers mentioned they dedicated the murders in self-defense after years of abuse by their father.
This Could, Decide Michael Jesic resentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to 50 years to life in jail, making them instantly eligible for parole below youth offender parole legal guidelines.
Jesic famous he was moved by the supportive letters from jail guards and was amazed by the work the brothers had completed to higher the lives of their fellow inmates. The brothers, who watched the resentencing listening to from jail, gave their very own statements to the choose, admitting their guilt.
Though his parole was denied, Erik Menendez can ask the parole board to evaluate the case for errors, in accordance with the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Individually, California Gov. Gavin Newsom can grant clemency to the Menendez brothers at any time.
