This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. (California Department of Corrections via AP, File)2025-08-21T04:03:00Z LOS ANGELES (AP) The Menendez brothers will make their cases for parole starting Thursday, marking the closest theyve been to winning freedom from prison since their convictions almost 30 years ago for murdering their parents.Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for fatally shooting their father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. While defense attorneys argued that the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers sought a multimillion-dollar inheritance.They became eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge reduced their sentences in May from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible under California law because they were under the age of 26 when they committed their crimes.But even if the board grants them parole, it could be months before the brothers walk free if at all. Hearing for Erik Menendez is first, followed by Lyle Menendez AP AUDIO: Menendez brothers face parole hearings after decades in prison for parents 1989 murders AP correspondent Jaimie Ding reports the parole hearings for the Menendez brothers are just the first steps in the review process. A panel of parole hearing officers will evaluate the brothers individually. Erik Menendez will have his hearing Thursday morning, followed by Lyle Menendez on Friday. They will appear over videoconference from prison in San Diego.The board will assess whether the brothers pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society if released, considering factors such as criminal history, motivation for the crime, signs of remorse, behavior while in prison and plans for the future, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Stay up to date with the latest U.S. news by signing up to our WhatsApp channel. If the board grants each brothers parole, the chief legal counsel has 120 days to review the case. Then Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has 30 days to affirm or deny the parole. Newsom had previously ordered the state parole board to conduct a risk assessment of the brothers in response to a clemency request. He hasnt said if hes likely to support parole, but he has denied recommendations in high-profile cases in the past most notably for Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. Erik and Lyle Menendez have the support of their relatives, who are expected to deliver statements at their hearings.For more than 35 years, they have shown sustained growth, their family said in a statement. Theyve taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service. Case features in documentaries, TV specials and dramatizationsThe case has captured the attention of true crime enthusiasts for decades and spawned documentaries, television specials and dramatizations. The Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story " and a documentary released in 2024 have been credited for bringing new attention to the brothers. A greater recognition of the brothers as victims of sexual abuse has also helped amass a legion of supporters who seek their release. Some have flown to Los Angeles to hold rallies and attend court hearings.The previous LA County district attorney first opened the door to possible freedom for the brothers last fall by asking a judge to reduce their sentences. The judges decision to ultimately resentence the brothers followed months of pushback from current prosecutors.LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said ahead of the parole hearings that he opposes parole for the brothers because they have not demonstrated full insight into their crimes, comparing them to Sirhan. Newsom denied him parole in January 2022 because of his deficient insight.Insight means taking full responsibility for a crime and understanding the factors that led you to commit the crime, such as anger, inability to handle stress and substance abuse, said Michael Beckman, a lawyer specialized in parole hearings. Recent rules violations could have consequences for the brothersErik and Lyles college degrees, participation in volunteer programs and support groups, plus the fact that Lyle has not been in a single fight in prison, are all positive factors for their release, Beckman said.But recent rules violations could have major consequences for the brothers. In May, Hochman revealed details from a confidential risk assessment report that said Lyle was cited for having a cellphone several times in 2024, and Erik was found with a cellphone this January. The board is really big on the philosophy that if you cant follow the rules in prison, you cant follow the rules in free society, Beckman said. Add to that that cellphones are one of the three big bad rules violations along with violence and substance abuse. Ultimately, Beckman noted, parole decisions come down to individual commissioners, who might weigh the brothers cases based on factors like their celebrity status or family members support.The state corrections department has selected one media representative to view the proceedings virtually and share notes with the rest of the press at set intervals. JAIMIE DING Ding covers California breaking news for The Associated Press. She focuses on law enforcement and the courts, and is based in Los Angeles. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site