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 almost 10-hour listening to by way of 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 based mostly its resolution 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 by way of Reuters
“The killing of your mom particularly confirmed a scarcity of empathy and cause,” Commissioner Robert Barton mentioned.
Barton famous that Erik Menendez might’ve left his mother and father’ house, since he was 18, and will have gone to the police or stayed with relations.
“We acknowledge and perceive that many sexual assault victims discover it laborious 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 operating 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 “main cause 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 got two choices: one is to have a pity occasion … and you then develop into a self-fulfilling prophecy, in all probability not getting granted [parole] subsequent time. Or you possibly can take to coronary heart what we mentioned.”
“I hope that the folks which can 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 totally forgiven Erik. … Erik carries himself with kindness, integrity and power that comes from persistence and charm.”
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 take a seat on the similar desk, to wrap my arms round him.”
Erik Menendez’s relations, who’ve been pushing for his launch, mentioned in a press release after the listening to, “Whereas we respect the choice, right this moment’s end result was in fact 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, development, and the optimistic influence he is had on others converse for themselves. We’ll proceed to face by him and maintain to the hope he is ready to return house quickly.”
Barton mentioned he was amazed by the assist from Erik Menendez’s relations, however he added, “Two issues could 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, shall be on Friday.
“Tomorrow, we flip our consideration to Lyle’s listening to,” the assertion from the brothers’ relations 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 mix of two reserving images 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’ resolution targeted 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 totally 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 group if launched.
The evaluation revealed the brothers possessed unlawful cellphones in jail, amongst quite a few different violations, although many usually are not latest. Nevertheless, Erik Menendez had a telephone as lately as January of this yr, which Hochman careworn was throughout the resentencing effort when he ought to have been on his finest conduct.
Barton mentioned he thought of the danger evaluation report back to be impartial.
The brothers have 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, Choose Michael Jesic resentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to 50 years to life in prison, 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 achieved 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 assessment the case for errors, based on the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Individually, California Gov. Gavin Newsom can grant clemency to the Menendez brothers at any time.
