LOS ANGELES, CA – Lyle Menendez, one day after his brother Erik, has been denied parole by the California Board of Parole Hearings. The decision means Menendez will remain incarcerated for the 1989 shotgun murders of his parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. The parole board cited concerns about ongoing public safety risks, past rule violations, and a lack of genuine accountability as key factors in their ruling.
The highly anticipated hearings, which took place virtually, marked a significant moment in the decades-long saga of the infamous case. After their sentences were reduced to 50 years to life earlier this year, both Lyle and Erik became eligible for parole consideration. However, the board’s decision on Friday, August 22, 2025, indicates that the path to freedom remains obstructed for Lyle Menendez.
The Parole Board’s Decision and Reasoning
A panel of commissioners concluded that Lyle Menendez, now 57, continues to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety. While acknowledging Menendez’s remorse and many positive accomplishments as an inmate, including educational pursuits and mentorship programs, the board highlighted his persistent struggles with what they described as “anti-social personality traits.” These include deception, minimization, and a history of rule-breaking, particularly his prolonged use of contraband cellphones in prison between 2018 and 2024.
Parole Commissioner Julie Garland noted that while Menendez had demonstrated potential for change and appeared to be a “model inmate in many ways,” the underlying issues remained. “You still struggle with anti-social personality traits like deception, minimization and rule-breaking that lie beneath that positive surface,” Garland stated, adding that incarcerated individuals who break rules are more likely to do so in society. Deputy Parole Commissioner Patrick Reardon expressed skepticism about Menendez’s credibility, suggesting he appeared as “two different incarcerated people at different times.”
Lyle Menendez himself spoke emotionally during the hearing, detailing the alleged abuse he suffered at the hands of his parents, particularly his father. He took sole responsibility for the murders, stating, “I will never be able to make up for the harm and grief I caused everyone in my family.” He also expressed remorse for his actions and the impact on his family.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
Representing the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Deputy District Attorney Ethan Milius argued against parole, asserting that Menendez had shown “no growth” and demonstrated a long-documented history of lies to avoid consequences. “When you look at him, Lyle has a long-documented history of lies made to avoid the consequences of his own actions,” Milius told the parole board. He further questioned if Menendez had “genuinely” taken accountability, pointing to his inability to follow basic rules in a structured setting.
Menendez’s parole attorney, Heidi Rummel, countered by arguing that the District Attorney’s Office was clinging to outdated theories of the case and emphasized a “deeper understanding of childhood sexual abuse” in today’s society. She highlighted Menendez’s lack of violent incidents in prison, his avoidance of drugs and alcohol, and his efforts in rehabilitation. However, the board’s focus remained on the rule violations, particularly the cellphone infractions, which resulted in Menendez being barred from family visits for three years.
Background of the Infamous Killings
The Menendez brothers’ case captured national attention following the brutal murders of their wealthy parents on August 20, 1989. Lyle, then 21, and Erik, 18, shot José and Kitty Menendez multiple times in their Beverly Hills mansion. Initially, they claimed to have discovered the bodies after returning from a movie, suggesting a mafia hit. However, their extravagant spending spree in the months following the murders, coupled with Erik’s confession to his therapist, led to their arrests in March 1990.
During their trials, the defense famously argued that the killings were committed in self-defense after years of alleged physical, sexual, and emotional abuse by their father, José, with their mother being an enabler. Prosecutors, however, maintained that the motive was financial gain, pointing to the brothers’ inheritance and lavish spending. After their first trials resulted in hung juries, both Lyle and Erik were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Their sentences were later commuted to 50 years to life in May 2025, making them eligible for parole.
The Road Ahead and Governor’s Review
The parole board’s decision is not final. It will undergo a mandatory review by the board’s chief legal counsel, a process that typically takes up to 120 days. Following this review, the case will proceed to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has 30 days to either approve, modify, or reverse the decision. Governor Newsom, who has previously overturned parole recommendations in high-profile cases, holds the ultimate authority.
This parole denial is a significant setback for the Menendez brothers, who have actively campaigned for their release, supported by numerous family members and a renewed public interest fueled by documentaries and television series. The brothers also have a pending habeas corpus petition seeking a review of their convictions based on new evidence related to their abuse claims.
The case continues to hold a spotlight on the complexities of the justice system, the lasting impact of alleged abuse, and the rigorous nature of parole evaluations in California. This Los Angeles News outlet will continue to follow developments in this high-profile case.
The parole board set Lyle Menendez’s next eligibility for parole in three years, though an administrative review within a year could potentially bring his case forward sooner.
A Family Divided
While many family members have vocally supported Lyle and Erik, expressing belief in their rehabilitation and remorse, the case has also revealed rifts. Some relatives, like Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendez’s brother, have opposed resentencing, emphasizing the brutality of the murders. The Menendez family issued a statement expressing disappointment but not discouragement, stating, “We know they are good men who have done the work to rehabilitate and are remorseful… We love them unconditionally and will continue to stand by them on the journey ahead.”
