After more than three decades behind bars, the Menendez brothers—Lyle and Erik—are facing their most significant shot at freedom to date. This week, the infamous siblings, convicted in 1996 for the murder of their parents, will each stand before the California state parole board in virtual hearings that could determine whether they ever walk free again. Erik’s hearing is set for Thursday, August 21, 2025, with Lyle’s following on Friday, August 22.
The path to these hearings has been long and fraught with legal twists, emotional confessions, and persistent controversy. According to the Associated Press, the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion back in August 1989. At the time, Erik was just 18 and Lyle, 21.
The original trial in 1993 was dramatic, with each brother tried before a separate jury. Prosecutors argued the motive was financial gain, while the defense maintained the brothers acted out of self-defense after suffering years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Both juries deadlocked, and a retrial in 1995—this time with a single jury and much of the abuse evidence excluded—ended with convictions for first-degree murder. The brothers were sentenced in July 1996, and their subsequent appeals were repeatedly denied over the next decade, as documented by the Los Angeles Times.
For years, any hope of release seemed remote. But in May 2025, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic resentenced the brothers from life without parole to 50 years to life, citing supportive letters from prison guards and the brothers’ efforts to improve the lives of fellow inmates. The judge was reportedly moved by their progress and remorse. As a result, the brothers became eligible for parole for the first time—a development that has reignited public debate and brought fresh scrutiny to the case.
During the resentencing hearing, both Lyle and Erik Menendez admitted their guilt and expressed deep remorse. Lyle told Judge Jesic, "I killed my mom and dad. I give no excuses." He also acknowledged having lied in court during the 1990s and apologized to his family for the pain and deception. Erik echoed this contrition, stating, "I committed an atrocious act. ... No justification for what I did." He added, "I will not stop trying to make a difference." These statements, reported by ABC News, have been cited by family members and supporters as evidence of the brothers’ rehabilitation.
Relatives of the Menendez brothers have publicly rallied for their release, describing the parole process as "rigorous" but expressing cautious optimism. In a statement to the media, the family said, "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."
However, opposition remains fierce. Nathan Hochman, the current Los Angeles County District Attorney, has consistently opposed the brothers’ release. In a statement released Wednesday, Hochman said, "Failure to exhibit full insight and responsibility is a critical factor in determining parole eligibility." He added, "We have consistently opposed their release because they have not demonstrated full insight into their crimes or shown that they have been fully rehabilitated, and therefore continue to pose a risk to society." Hochman emphasized that his office would evaluate its final position based on the evidence presented at the parole hearings.
If the parole board grants release, the process is still far from over. The chief legal counsel has 120 days to review the case, after which California Governor Gavin Newsom has 30 days to affirm, deny, or modify the decision. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if granted, the brothers could be released in about five months. But if parole is denied, it could be for a period of three, five, seven, ten, or even fifteen years. Notably, Governor Newsom also retains the power to pardon or release the brothers at any time, as outlined by the district attorney's office.
The Menendez case has never truly faded from public consciousness. In 2023, the brothers submitted a habeas corpus petition seeking a new trial, based on fresh evidence. This included allegations from a former member of the boy band Menudo, who claimed he was raped by Jose Menendez, and a letter Erik wrote to his cousin before the murders, detailing abuse. The cousin had testified at trial, but the letter itself only surfaced years later. These revelations, amplified by the 2023 docuseries "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed," and the Netflix crime drama "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" released in September 2024, have reignited debate over the fairness of the original trial and the brothers’ culpability.
Despite the new evidence, DA Hochman remains unconvinced. In response to the habeas corpus petition, he stated, "The central defense of the Menendez brothers at trial has always been self-defense, not sexual abuse. The jury rejected this self-defense defense in finding them guilty of the horrific murders they perpetrated; five different appellate state and federal courts have affirmed those convictions, and nothing in the so-called 'new' evidence challenges any of those determinations." He called the petition a "Hail Mary" and insisted that "justice, the facts, and the law demand the convictions stand."
Supporters of the Menendez brothers argue that the legal system and society in the 1990s were not prepared to hear or believe that young men could be victims of sexual abuse. In October 2024, multiple generations of the Menendez family held a news conference, pleading for the brothers’ release and arguing that the original jurors were part of a culture unwilling to grapple with the reality of male sexual assault.
As the parole hearings unfold, the eyes of the nation—and indeed, much of the world—are watching. The Menendez brothers, now 57 and 54, have spent the majority of their lives in prison. Their case has been the subject of books, documentaries, and countless debates about justice, privilege, and the limits of forgiveness. The parole board’s decision, and the actions of Governor Newsom, will mark a pivotal moment in one of America’s most notorious criminal sagas.
Whether the Menendez brothers will finally walk free after 35 years, or remain incarcerated for years to come, remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez continues to captivate, challenge, and divide public opinion, even as it enters its latest chapter.
