The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has continued the parole board hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez from June 13 to Aug. 21 and 22. Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic resentenced the brothers for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills home on May 13 to 50 years to life and making them immediately eligible for parole.
If the parole board recommends parole for the brothers, the decision will be sent for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s review. The governor has the power to overrule the decision.
The resentencing on May 13 came after a day of emotional testimony from members of the Menendez family and others who met Erik and Lyle in prison. The court heard testimony about the brothers’ rehabilitation and positive actions while incarcerated, such as building green spaces, painting murals and facilitating a program for younger prisoners to care for elderly inmates.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman had advocated for the brothers to remain in prison, stating that they are not fully rehabilitated because they still claim they committed the murders out of self-defense.
The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez also said in a statement that the decision was a positive step for the brothers, giving them more time to prepare for the hearing.
“Now that Erik and Lyle’s clemency hearing has been converted to a suitability parole hearing, a few things have changed,” the family said in the statement. “Given the change, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s decision to move the hearing is a recognition of our rights. It’s also a stark and welcome difference from what we experienced during the resentencing process led by District Attorney Nathan Hochman—where we saw our rights consistently undermined.”
