Menendez Brothers Lawyer Alleges Rigged Parole Hearings Amid Appeal Plans

Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted in 1996 for the 1989 murders of their parents, were both denied parole in hearings held in August 2025. Their lawyer, Mark Geragos, strongly criticized the parole board's decisions, calling the hearings "rigged" and an "outrageous sham," alleging unfair treatment and procedural misconduct. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman supported the denials, citing Erik's prison infractions such as fights and drug smuggling, and Lyle's refusal to fully accept responsibility for the killings. Despite Geragos' claims, he acknowledged having no concrete proof of the hearings being rigged but maintained that the brothers deserved parole consideration. Lyle showed some remorse by accepting sole responsibility during his hearing, yet the board deemed him unfit for release until he fully admits guilt. The Menendez family's long-standing protests for reduced sentences led to a re-sentencing that allowed parole eligibility, but recent decisions highlight the parole board's continued resistance to their release.