Erik Menendez was denied parole at a hearing Thursday and will remain in prison for his role in the murder of his parents with his older brother in 1989.
He was 18 at the time of the murders.
Lyle Menendez’s hearing is scheduled for Friday. They are being held at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
“I believe in redemption or I wouldn’t be doing this job … but based on the legal standards, we find that you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety,” California Board of Parole Hearings Commissioner Robert Barton said.
The younger Menendez’s behavior while behind bars was cited as a reason to deny parole, despite their family’s support for the brothers’ release.
“Two things can be true. They can love and forgive you, and you can still be found unsuitable for parole,” Barton said.
Menendez will be eligible for parole again in three years.
The brothers were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion during a retrial in 1996. The brothers claimed self defense after years of sexual abuse by their father. Prosecutors said the brothers sought a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Both were sentenced to life in prison.
In May, a judge reduced their sentences to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole, and they became immediately eligible.
Erik Menendez allegedly worked with a prison gang, bought drugs, used cellphones and helped with a tax scam while in prison.
He told the parole commissioners he did these things to protect himself inside.
Heidi Rummel, Erik Menendez’s parole attorney, emphasized he found faith and sobriety in 2013 and became a “remarkable” prisoner. He also started a group to take care of older and disabled inmates.
Erik Menendez, 54, was treated for kidney stones last month. He has spent more than 30 years behind bars.
Pending the result of Lyle Menendez’s hearing, the two could still receive clemency by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“While we respect the decision, today’s outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for,” the Menendez family said in a statement. “But our belief in Erik remains unwavering and we know he will take the Board’s recommendation in stride. His remorse, growth, and the positive impact he’s had on others speak for themselves. We will continue to stand by him and hold to the hope he is able to return home soon. Tomorrow, we turn our attention to Lyle’s hearing. And while it is undoubtedly difficult, we remain cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the commissioner will see in Lyle what so many others have: a man who has taken responsibility, transformed his life, and is ready to come home.”
With News Wire Services
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