Lyle Menendez learns his fate, one day after Erik confirmed to be staying behind bars

Can you really be forgiven for executing your parents in cold blood? Lyle and Erik Menendez did just that and have spent the last 35 years behind bars. The prosecution said they were pure evil, seeing the deaths of their wealthy parents as their ticket to a huge inheritance. The brothers claimed they’d been psychologically and physically abused by their tyrannical father and felt in danger of their lives.

Ultimately, the prosecution won the argument. But, whatever the reality, the Menendez brothers have been hopeful that there’s light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a release on parole. In May, California judge Michael Jesic ruled that their sentences be reduced from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life. As the two committed their crime under the age of 26, that meant they’d be eligible for California’s “youthful offender law”.

All that stood in their way was the approval of the California Board of Parole. On Thursday, their decision on Erik came in. A flat no. Now we have their decision on Lyle. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s also a no.

Lyle spoke during the hearing to underline his remorse over his past actions, saying, “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 will be forever sorry.” His legal team painted him as a model prisoner, taking the time to assist other inmates with their issues in what’s apparently dubbed “Menendez University”.

Commissioners recognized that, but also pointed to Lyle’s illicit use of unauthorized cellphones in prison. Lyle attempted to justify it by saying prison staff monitored his communications to sell his story to the tabloids, so he needed the cellphones to talk privately. But, either way, that’s hardly a good look.

“They should have gotten a fair hearing”

Attorney Mark Geragos, the brothers’ longtime legal representative sounded downbeat: “I’m disappointed. It’s not the worst day that they’ve had, but at the very least, they should have gotten a fair hearing and they did not… It was atrocious.”

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who’s strongly opposed to the Menendez brothers being released, issued a statement:

“For decades, Lyle Menendez has refused to accept full responsibility for his actions. Along with his brother, he has clung to a fabricated self-defense story, repeatedly shifting narratives and enlisting others to bolster false claims. Although the brothers have participated in rehabilitative programs, rehabilitation is only one factor in determining parole suitability. The rules violations conducted inside prison raises serious concerns about how he might behave if released.”

And, essentially, that’s that. The pair can apply for parole again, but only after a three year period has elapsed. So, for now, they’re remaining in the same place they’ve been for the last three and a half decades: behind bars.