Parole board reveals why Lyle Menendez was refused bail just hours after brother
The California parole board has revealed the reason why Lyle Menendez was denied release.
Lyle and Erik Menendez are currently behind bars for the 1989 murders of their parents José and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home. Both Erik and Lyle have argued they killed their parents in self-defence, claiming years of abuse from their father.
The brothers were initially sentenced to life without parole, however this was later changed to 50 years to life in prison back in May, following renewed interest in the case after Netflix covered their story in its Monsters anthology.
Following May's resentencing hearing, there had been increasing momentum to see the brothers released – however this has since been quashed by the recent parole hearings.
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Following Erik's hearing on Thursday (21 August), Lyle faced the parole board and received the same conclusion as his brother.
The 57-year-old's parole request was denied and he'll be able to reapply again in three years.
California Board of Parole Hearings Commissioner Julie Garland has since revealed that Lyle was denied parole due to repeated rule-breaking and 'anti-social personality traits'.
"The panel has found today that there are still signs that Lyle poses a risk to the public," Commissioner Garland said in a statement.
She continued: "We find your remorse is genuine. In many ways, you look like you've been a model inmate. You have been a model inmate in many ways who has demonstrated the potential for change.
"But despite all those outward positives, we see ... you still struggle with anti-social personality traits like deception, minimisation and rule breaking that lie beneath that positive surface."
Garland went on to tell Lyle this wasn't 'the end' when it came to his hopes for release, adding: "It’s a way for you to spend some time to demonstrate, to practice what you preach about who you are, who you want to be."
Lyle also spoke during the hearing, acknowledging the 20 August anniversary of his parent's deaths as 'a crushing day for so many in my family'.
"I think about all the phone calls on that day with the shattering news and the loss and the grief," he said.
"I will never be able to make up for the harm and grief I caused everyone in my family. I am so sorry to everyone, and I will be forever sorry."
The brothers' family have since released the following statement to ABC News, saying they were 'disappointed' by the news but not 'discouraged'.
The statement read: "The process for parole is exceptionally rigorous, but we are incredibly proud of how Erik and Lyle showed up - with honesty, accountability, and integrity.
"This is not the end of the road. Both will go before the Board again, and their habeas petition remains under review. In the meantime, we know they will take time to reflect on the Board's recommendations and will continue to lead, mentor, and build programs that support rehabilitation and hope for others."
The statement added: "We know they are good men who have done the work to rehabilitate and are remorseful. We love them unconditionally and will continue to stand by them on the journey ahead."
Topics: Menendez Brothers, Crime, US News, News
Brenna Cooper