The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 for murdering their parents. Jose Menendez and Mary Luiss “Kitty” Menendezand was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In more than 20 years, that may change. The Los Angeles County District Attorney has officially recommended potential resembles Lyle and Eric Menendez. If permitted, Lyle and Eric Menendez are eligible for parole. Learn what this means for their potential release.
What does parole mean?
Parole is also known as interim release from prison. If a prisoner is released on parole, he will be released early on condition that the inmate agrees to comply with certain rules. For example, you may need to check in with your parole officer.
Is Menendez’s brother out of prison?
Lyle and Eric have not been officially released from prison or have not been parole. However, District Attorney George Gascon issued a recommendation to the court on October 24, 2024 that “life without the possibility of parole will be removed and sentenced to murder.”
“I believe they paid the debt to society,” Gascon said of Lyle and Erik, which the DA pointed out, “creating a group to deal with untreated trauma and a group to deal with other inmates with disabilities.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced he would resent the murder of his parents in 1989 and recommend his siblings to resent a chance of freedom in 34 years behind the bar. pic.twitter.com/nqjdfmjyj3
– AP Entertainment (@Apent Artanement) October 24, 2024
“Even in one case, Lyle was negotiating for other prisoners about the conditions they live in,” Guscon admitted, making it clear that there was “no excuse for murder.”
The DA also noted the later influx of support from the public. Monster: The Story of Lyle and Eric Menendez It premiered, and he acknowledged new evidence in support of the brother’s claims of sexual abuse. In light of this, Gascon explained that Lyle and Eric’s choice to kill their parents was wrong, but they had grown up.
“This was all done by two young people,” the DA added, noting that when Lyle and Eric were 21 and 18 respectively, when they fatally shot their mother and father. “Now they’re not that young. They didn’t want to leave prison. …I believe my brother was exposed to an incredible amount of dysfunction from his home and abuse.”
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman He was appointed in December 2024. Since then, he has asserted that his brother was not true. He told ABC News, ABC News“If we admit it honestly and clearly for the first time in over 30 years, the full scope of criminal conduct and all the lies we spoke about it.” A Res trial was scheduled for April 17, 2025, but it was put on hold.
Can the Menendez brothers receive parole?
If the court advances the possible responsiveness of Lyle and Eric, they are likely eligible for parole and potentially allow their release. Since 2018, the brothers have lived at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Trained staff will provide confidential, unjusted support and local resources to help you heal, recover, and more.