Erik Menendez Denied Parole by California Board of Parole Hearings

Sacramento, CA (August 22, 2025) – Today, the California Board of Parole Hearings denied parole for Erik Menendez, 54. He has been in prison for 35 years since his 1996 conviction. Menendez was found guilty of murdering his parents, José and Kitty Menendez, with a shotgun in 1989 at their Beverly Hills home.

Erik Menendez took part in a nearly ten-hour virtual hearing on Thursday, August 21. He appeared from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. During the session, he answered questions from the panel. He expressed remorse for his crimes. He also outlined the rehabilitative programs he led in prison. Menendez’s attorney said he had grown a lot personally. They also claimed he posed a low risk to public safety.

The parole board pointed to Menendez’s past infractions. They felt he hasn’t fully accepted his role in the murders. Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, opposed the parole bid. He stated that Menendez is still an “unreasonable risk to society.” Hochman also noted that Menendez hasn’t moved past the false self-defense claim rejected by juries in his trials.

Under California law, Menendez may reapply for parole in three years. Now, all eyes are on Lyle Menendez, his brother. He has a parole hearing today, Friday, August 22.