Lyle and Erik Menendez were denied parole at their hearing last Friday, after spending almost 30 years in prison for the murder of their parents in 1989.
It was a blow to the brothers and their families, as well as the supporters they have amassed over the past few years due to the popular Netflix shows covering their case.
But why are the Menendez brothers still locked up?
Both Lyle and Erik were denied parole due to their behaviour and actions in prison.
The brothers each were found with a contraband mobile phone, which they had been using to contact family. Commissioner Robert Barton remarked that such behaviour was “selfish”, showing a disregard towards rules and authority.
Erik’s case was also hindered by his associations with a prison gang in 2013. While he alleged he aligned himself with the Two Fivers for protection, commissioners were troubled by his involvement in a gang tax scheme.
Although Lyle has fewer infractions, commissioners noted his “antisocial personality traits like deception, minimization and rule breaking that lie beneath that positive surface”.
The nature of their crimes also continues to disturb authorities. The commissioners particularly noted the murder of their mother, Kitty Menendez, as callous and devoid of compassion, citing the fact she was also a victim of their father’s violence.
During their initial trial, the Menendez brothers alleged they killed their parents in self-defence after suffering years of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
The prosecution argued the abuse claims were entirely fabricated, and the murder was pre-mediated and financially motivated.
After a hung jury in their first trial, the brothers were finally sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 1996. In May 2025, they were resentenced to 50 years each with the possibility of parole.
Find out more about the crimes and trial of the Menendez brothers on this episode of Killer Psyche
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