Erik Menendez denied parole by California board after resentencing

A California parole board on Thursday denied the younger Menendez brother's, 54-year-old Erik Menendez, request for parole after a judge made him eligible earlier this year by resentencing him to 50-years in prison.

Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents in 1996 and originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But a California judge in May resentenced the brothers after hearing from family members. 

The brothers have also argued that the shooting was committed out of fear that their parents planned to kill them in order to keep them quiet about how their father, Jose Menendez, allegedly sexually abused the younger Menendez for years.

Parole Board Commissioner Robert Barton handed down the ruling, stating that although the board gave "great weight to youth offender factors," the board determined Erik Menendez was not suitable for release because he allegedly broke prison rules and was allegedly still willing to commit crimes, per Deadline.

Lyle Menendez, who is 57-years-old now, will have his parole hearing on Friday, and the brothers' family said they are still "cautiously optimistic" about the older brother being released, even though they are disappointed in the board's ruling regarding Erik Menendez.

“While we respect the decision, today’s outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for,” the Menendez family said in a statement. "Our belief in Erik remains unwavering and we know he will take the Board’s recommendation in stride.

"Tomorrow, we turn our attention to Lyle’s hearing," they continued. "While it is undoubtedly difficult, we remain cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the commissioner will see in Lyle what so many others have: a man who has taken responsibility, transformed his life, and is ready to come home.”

Lyle Menendez spoke at the resentencing hearing in May, where he admitted that he made a "mockery of the legal system" by asking people to perjure themselves on his behalf after his arrest, and that he was ashamed of his actions back then.

Erik Menendez will not be eligible for parole again until 2028.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.