Menendez Brothers Case: Erik Menendez was denied parole 3months after he and his brother, Lyle Menendez, were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the murder of their parents.
The destiny of one of the Menendez brothers has been determined. The parole board convened on August 21 to determine whether Erik Menendez would be released to parole supervision following Los Angeles County Judge Michael Jesic's May resentencing ruling that both Erik and Lyle Menendez would be eligible for parole.
Erik's appeal was turned down after a 10-hour hearing, though, and he will continue to be incarcerated. According to NBC News, he will be eligible to apply for parole once more in three years.
On August 22, his brother Lyle is scheduled to go before a parole board. Their sentences were lowered from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole three months ago for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez.
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And the brothers, who claim that their father's sexual abuse served as the catalyst for their motivation for the murders, became noticeably distraught in their reaction when they heard the judge's decision at the time.
After the decision was handed down, Lyle sobbed, "I killed my mom and dad," according to NBC News. "I killed my mom and dad," Lyle said tearfully after the decision was passed down, per NBC News. "I make no excuses. I take full responsibility."
"Thirty-five years later, I am deeply ashamed of who I was,” he went on. "I was scared. But I was also filled with rage.”
The 57-year-old continued by promising to become "part of the solution" and assist others who are struggling in the detained community if he were granted parole and released from prison.
In his own words, "I made a promise I would never use violence to solve a problem."
Erik, who had two kidney stone surgeries just weeks prior to the parole hearing, also stated that he accepts "full responsibility" for their parents' deaths.
He said during the May virtual court hearing, "I did everything I could to get away with the crime," according to NBC News. "I am directly responsible for it all."
The 54-year-old acknowledged that he "created a crushing sadness" in his extended family, saying that the killings were uncalled for.
He went on to say, "I am sorry for these lies," admitting that he and Lyle had initially denied any involvement in the murders. "There is no excuse for my behavior."
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