The Netflix drama series “Monsters” retells the story of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of killing their parents in their Beverly Hills home. The hit show was soon followed by a documentary that unearthed new evidence never before presented at their trials. The media attention after the shows’ release was recently followed by resentencing and parole hearings for the brothers.
Both Menendez brothers were denied parole at their first parole hearings that took place on August 22 and August 21 respectively. In May, after 35 years of jail time without the possibility of parole, they were resentenced to 50 years in prison. This decision made them immediately eligible for parole under youth parole laws.
The brothers were initially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole 1996 for killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez with a shotgun in 1989. Their defense “argued they committed the murders in self-defense after years of sexual abuse from their father,” but they were found guilty in their second trial and convicted of first degree murder.
The judge in charge of their parole noted the letters of support from guards at the prison and the brothers work in prison reform to improve life in prison for other inmates. Although they were both given a chance at receiving parole, they were ultimately denied due to the commissioners in charge of the hearing citing how the brothers have repeatedly broken rules in prison, specifically their illegal cellphone use. At Erik Menendez’ parole hearings the “board noted Erik Menendez’s inappropriate behavior with visitors, drug smuggling, misuse of state computers, violent incidents and illegal cellphone use.”
Although their initial parole hearings were denied, they still have hopes of gaining their freedom. They will be eligible to apply for parole again in three years, which has the possibility of being shortened to 18 months with good behavior. The other options for Erik and Lyle’s freedom lie with California Governor Newsom, who has the power to grant them clemency. This means he could give the brothers a commutation which would reduce their sentence even further and make them eligible for parole immediately. As another option, though arguably much less likely in today’s political environment, Newsom could grant the brothers a full pardon for their sentences.
In 2023 the Menendez brothers submitted a habeas corpus petition attempting to get another trial after two key pieces of evidence were discovered: a letter written by Erik Menedez to his cousins detailing this abuse he was suffering, and a rape allegation from “a former member of the boy band Menudo” against the brothers father Jose Menedez. The petition is still pending following opposition from Los Angeles Country District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, who argued the evidence isn’t enough to warrant a new trial.
Regardless of what occurs for the brothers it will be a process that takes months if not years, and the state of their freedom will likely not be decided for some time.