Menendez Brothers Begin Parole Hearings After Decades in Prison

Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989, are appearing before California’s parole board this week to seek release after more than 35 years in prison. Their original life sentences without parole were reduced in May 2025 to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California law. The brothers argue they have taken full responsibility, shown remorse, and reformed during their incarceration, supported by letters from correctional officials and a statement from their family. The parole board will assess whether they pose an unreasonable risk to society, considering factors like their prison conduct, crime motivations, and future plans, but even if granted parole, their release requires approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has previously overruled parole decisions in high-profile cases. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office opposes their release, emphasizing the severity of their crimes. The hearings have attracted considerable public and media attention, fueled by documentaries, social media campaigns, and evolving perspectives on abuse and rehabilitation.