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 by way of video from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The board stated he can subsequent be eligible for parole in three years.
The board based mostly its determination on a number of elements, together with: his habits 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 by way of Reuters
“The killing of your mom particularly confirmed an absence of empathy and purpose,” Commissioner Robert Barton stated.
Barton famous that Erik Menendez may’ve left his mother and father’ house, since he was 18, and will have gone to the police or stayed with family.
“We acknowledge and perceive that many sexual assault victims discover it laborious to come back ahead, particularly when the perpetrators are relations,” Barton added
Erik Menendez stated he shot his mom as a result of she had “betrayed him.”
“I noticed my mom and my father as one individual after I discovered 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 stated.
Barton famous that it’s Erik Menendez’s habits in jail, not the seriousness of the crime, that’s the “major purpose for this denial.”
“Opposite to your supporters’ beliefs, you haven’t been a mannequin prisoner, and albeit, we discover that just a little disturbing,” Barton stated.
Barton famous Erik Menendez’s inappropriate habits 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 simply proceed to pose an unreasonable danger to public security,” Barton stated.
After denying him parole, Barton stated to Erik Menendez, “You could have two choices: one is to have a pity social gathering … and you then turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy, in all probability not getting granted [parole] subsequent time. Or you may take to coronary heart what we mentioned.”
“I hope that the individuals which can be on the market supporting you proceed to inspire you,” Barton stated.
Erik Menendez, Oct. 10, 2024.
CDCR
Erik Menendez’s aunt and Jose Menendez’s sister, Terry Baralt, stated on the listening to, “Though I like my brother, I’ve totally forgiven Erik. … Erik carries himself with kindness, integrity and energy that comes from endurance and style.”
Baralt, 85, who’s battling colon most cancers, added, “Greater than something, I hope I stay lengthy sufficient to welcome him into my house, to sit down on the similar desk, to wrap my arms round him.”
Erik Menendez’s family, who’ve been pushing for his launch, stated in a press release after the listening to, “Whereas we respect the choice, as we speak’s end result 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 advice in stride. His regret, development, and the constructive affect he is had on others communicate for themselves. We’ll proceed to face by him and maintain to the hope he is ready to return house quickly.”
Barton stated he was amazed by the assist from Erik Menendez’s family, however he added, “Two issues may 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’ family continued. “And whereas it’s undoubtedly tough, we stay cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the commissioner will see in Lyle what so many others have: a person who has taken duty, reworked his life, and is able to come house.”
This mixture of two reserving pictures supplied by the California Division of Corrections exhibits Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez.
California Dept. of Corrections by way of AP
The board members’ determination centered on one query: would Erik Menendez pose an unreasonable danger to society if launched?
Los Angeles County District Legal professional Nathan Hochman opposed the Menendez brothers’ launch, claiming they “haven’t demonstrated full perception into their crimes or proven that they’ve been totally rehabilitated, and due to this fact proceed to pose a danger to society.”
A just lately accomplished danger evaluation stated Erik and Lyle Menendez posed a reasonable danger to the neighborhood if launched.
The evaluation revealed the brothers possessed unlawful cellphones in jail, amongst quite a few different violations, although many aren’t current. Nonetheless, Erik Menendez had a telephone as just lately as January of this yr, which Hochman careworn was in the course of the resentencing effort when he ought to have been on his greatest habits.
Barton stated he thought-about the chance evaluation report back to be impartial.
The brothers have been initially sentenced to life with out the potential of parole for the 1989 murders. Lyle Menendez was 21 and Erik Menendez was 18 on the time, and the brothers stated they dedicated the murders in self-defense after years of abuse by their father.
This Might, Decide Michael Jesic resentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to 50 years to life in jail, making them instantly eligible for parole beneath 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 raised the lives of their fellow inmates. The brothers, who watched the resentencing listening to from jail, gave their very own statements to the decide, admitting their guilt.
Though his parole was denied, Erik Menendez can ask the parole board to evaluation the case for errors, in line with the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Individually, California Gov. Gavin Newsom can grant clemency to the Menendez brothers at any time.
