A United States judicial commission has denied parole to Joseph Lyle Menendez, following his brother Erik’s similar denial a day earlier.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation stated, “Joseph (Lyle) Menendez was denied parole for three years at his initial suitability hearing today.” This decision comes despite a campaign for their freedom supported by family, friends, and celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
The Menendez brothers were convicted for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills mansion. Prosecutors described the killings as a cynical attempt to obtain a large family fortune.
The brothers claimed self-defense, alleging years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. The parole hearings were made possible after a judge resentenced them to 50 years with the possibility of release, reducing their original full-life punishment.
The case has garnered significant public attention, particularly after Netflix’s dramatic series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and various documentaries highlighted the gory details of the murders and the brothers’ trial.
During their decades in prison, changing social mores and increased awareness of sexual abuse have contributed to the brothers’ elevated status as cultural icons.
The parole board’s decision to deny Lyle Menendez parole was based on his display of “antisocial personality traits like deception, minimisation and rule-breaking.”
His brother Erik was also denied parole due to misbehavior behind bars. Both brothers appeared via videolink from the San Diego prison where they are being held, and their hearings were held separately.
The Menendez brothers’ case continues to spark debate, with some advocating for their release based on their claims of abuse and rehabilitation.
However, the parole board’s decision suggests that they still have to demonstrate sufficient rehabilitation to be considered for parole in the future. Lyle Menendez will not be eligible for parole for three years.