Menendez brothers’ parole hearings underway

The Menendez brothers’ parole hearings got underway Thursday morning, with each of the brothers having their own day in court.

Erik Menendez, 54, and Lyle Menendez, 57, have spent the last 35 years behind bars for the shotgun killings of their parents, Jose Menendez and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home.

“I believe that these parole hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez are going to be historical days, given the notoriety, the celebrity and the length of these cases,” criminal defense lawyer Alison Triessl said. 

Erik Menendez was the first to go before the California Board of Parole when his case began, via video conference, Thursday morning. Older brother Lyle Menendez is set to have his hearing on Friday.

The board will try to determine if the brothers, who remain at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, currently pose a danger to society and are suitable for release.

Prosecutors say the 1989 killings of Jose and Kitty were for financial gain, but the brothers claim it was all in self-defense following years of abuse.

They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, but were resentenced in May to 50 years to life, which granted them the right to parole hearings.

Family members, most of whom support the brothers’ release, will be allowed to speak at the hearings.

“For more than 35 years, they have shown sustained growth. They’ve taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service,” the Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition said in a statement.

However, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has made it clear that he is opposed to the brothers’ release.

“They staged it to look like a mafia hit. This was not self-defense; this was basically premeditated, willful, deliberate, brutal murder,” Hochman said. “If and when they finally come clean, and clearly and unequivocally say ‘we’ve been lying for 30 years, we’re ready to be truthful with what happened that night,’ then the Menendez brothers may very well be eligible for parole. Right now, they have not come clean, so they’re not.”

If the board does grant parole to the brothers, the decision would go to the chief of the parole board, who would have to approve it, and then it would go on to Gov. Gavin Newsom for final approval.