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After nearly 30 years behind bars, Erik Menendez appeared before the state parole board on Thursday morning, in a bid for freedom after being convicted for the 1989 murder of his parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez.
Menendez appeared virtually from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego to argue he no longer poses a threat to public safety, will not re-offend and to take full responsibility for his crimes.
The parole board will be tasked with determining if an inmate currently poses an “unreasonable risk of danger to society,” if they are released from prison, according to the CDCR.
In 1996, Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, until their sentences were reduced by a judge to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California’s youth offender law because they were under the age of 26 when they committed their crimes.
Over the years, the brothers have claimed they acted in self-defense after suffering years of alleged sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their parents. The Menendez brothers’ appellate attorney, Mark Geragos, has said he believes the brothers have rehabilitated and are suitable for release.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has been an outspoken opponent of the brothers’ possible release from prison. He’s claimed they have “never fully accepted responsibility for the horrific murders of their parents” and have lied about the alleged abuse.
“Justice should never be swayed by spectacle,” said a statement shared by Hochman on Wednesday, just hours before the hearings were slated to begin. He said that parole hearings must be based on fact and law, not focusing on the recent series of documentaries and television series based on the brothers.
Hochman also spoke with CNN on Tuesday to further discuss the parole hearings.
“If and when the Menendez brothers finally come clean, and say that those lies that they’ve been telling for 35 years are just that … then at that point we believe they’ll be qualified for parole,” Hochman said. “Until that happens, we believe they’re not.”
If Erik Menendez is denied parole, he could attempt to gain freedom in a future meeting with the board. If he is granted parole, Gov. Gavin Newsom will be the final say on whether he approves or denies the board’s recommendation.
