Lyle Menendez, 57, was denied parole last Friday, marking his continued stay behind bars with his younger brother, Erik Menendez. Erik’s parole was also denied, a decision delivered just one day earlier.
The parole hearing was attended remotely by Lyle Menendez from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Parole commissioner Julie Garland offered commendations for his behavior in prison, mentioning his lack of violent incidents, his active participation in programs, and his positive interactions with both inmates and staff. The panel’s decision was made on the belief that he still poses a risk to society.
The panel noted Lyle Menendez’s illegal possession of cellphones in prison, an infraction that Garland suggested could be indicative of a predilection towards rule-breaking in a societal setting. Despite Menendez having demonstrated potential for change and maintaining model behavior in many aspects, the panel found traits of deception, minimization, and rule-breaking beneath the positive surface.
The significance becomes clear when we consider the murder case for which the Menendez brothers were originally sentenced. The grisly crime saw the brothers take the lives of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Despite acknowledging that Lyle Menendez was under 26 years old at the time of the crime and thus highly susceptible to the negative and dysfunctional environment of his home, the board found fault in his attempts to cover up the crime and his perceived misjudgment of the threat posed by his father.
Lyle Menendez will have the opportunity for parole reconsideration in three years. However, the board mentioned that an administrative review could take place within a year, potentially leading to a hearing in as little as 18 months. The family of the Menendez brothers expressed disappointment at the parole denial but reaffirmed their support for Erik and Lyle.
Reports from the previous day indicate a similar denial for Erik Menendez, whose parole was declined due to his behavior in prison, including illegal cellphone use and misconduct with visitors. Erik maintained during his hearing that the murders were committed in response to years of sexual abuse by their father, a claim he says was further complicated by betrayal from their mother.
Related: Parole Denied for Erik Menendez, Now All Eyes on Lyle’s Friday Hearing
Despite the denied parole, the brothers hold the right to request a review of their case for potential errors by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also retains the power to grant clemency to the Menendez brothers at his discretion.
Originally sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the murders that took place on Aug. 20, 1989, the Menendez brothers were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison by Judge Michael Jesic this past May. This revised sentence made them immediately eligible for parole under youth offender parole laws, and it remains to be seen how future developments may unfold.
The Menendez brothers continue to serve their sentences, their paroles denied, but with the possibility of future reviews and hearings. Their fate serves as a stark reminder of the justice system’s enduring pursuit of truth and accountability.
