Netflix has brought the plight of the Menendez brothers to the TikTok generation, but the show was not able to sway the opinion of the parole board.
It was not the ending that supporters of Erik Menendez and his older brother, Lyle, expected, as their high-profile bid for freedom continues.
Following a 10-hour-long hearing, the board in Los Angeles rejected Erik’s plea for parole over the killing of his parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than three decades ago. The board ruled that he will be allowed to try again in three years.
A day later, Lyle was also denied parole by a separate board, which ruled that he could also try again in three years. However, the panel said this could be reduced to 18 months with good behavior.
The decision frustrated the brothers’ family and supporters, who said the brothers deserved to be set free and objected to the board’s ruling that they posed a threat to society.
“I’m gutted for Erik Menendez. Branding him a ‘threat’ to society is ludicrous. He has spent years rebuilding his life in prison, making something of himself, and giving back even when he didn’t have any hope of freedom,” one user on X said.
“His abusers are gone, neither of the brothers is a threat,” they added, referring to the Menendez brothers’ parents.
I’m gutted for erik menendez. branding him a ‘threat’ to society is ludicrous. he has spent years rebuilding his life in prison, making something of himself, and giving back even when he didn’t have any hope of freedom. his abusers are gone, neither of the brothers are a threat.
undefined rayna (@raynaxlee) August 22, 2025
Others argued that the American justice system was not functioning properly as the Menendez brothers were in prison, while “child predators and even worse walk free.” One netizen said, “I’m way more scared of the president than I am of the Menendez brothers.”
I’m way more scared of the president than I am of the Menendez brothers.
undefined hannah (@hanelizabeth411) August 21, 2025
However, Erik's parole board commissioner, Robert Barton, said he did not believe he was yet ready for release and continues to pose “an unreasonable risk to public safety.”
After denying Erik his parole, Barton told Erik that he had two options for his future: “One is to have a pity party… Or you can take to heart what we discussed.”
The panel considered Erik’s criminal record before he killed his parents and the fact that he murdered his mother in addition to his sexually abusive father before denying him parole, but noted that his behavior in prison was the primary reason his request was rejected.
Board commissioner Barton said, “Contrary to your supporters’ beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner and frankly, we find that a little disturbing.”
The board noted Erik’s inappropriate behavior with visitors, drug smuggling, violent incidents, and illegal use of a cellphone as some examples of why he was denied parole.
This was challenged by Erik’s wife Tammi, whom he married in 1999 while in prison, and who said on social media that he “hasn’t had any infractions since 2011, apart from a cell phone possession.”
She also described the parole hearing as “a complete setup” and that “Erik never stood a chance.”
Parole Commissioner Robert Barton had his mind made up to deny Erik parole from the start! This was a complete setup, and Erik never stood a chance! 😡 #Injustice
undefined Tammi Menendez (@TammiMenendez1) August 22, 2025
Lyle's parole panel cited similar arguments, saying that "there are still signs" he posed a risk to society. "You still struggle with anti-social personality traits like deception, minimisation, and rule-breaking that lie beneath that positive surface," said Lyle's parole commissioner Julie Garland.
Erik’s stepdaughter, Talia, took it to Instagram to express her disappointment with the parole hearing. In one story posted on the platform, she said the Menendez family suffered “decades of torture.”
“How much longer??? Until our elderly relatives pass away??” she said. Talia also called out celebrities who she said previously advocated for the Menendez brothers’ release but were now keeping silent.
The Menendez family has a complicated relationship with Hollywood, especially after the brothers’ case was turned into a Netflix series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” They said the show, created by Ryan Murphy, was “riddled with mistruths.”
However, the show, released in 2024, also brought the decades-old case to a new generation, leading to a debate on TikTok and celebrity attention. Kim Kardashian publicly called for the brothers’ release following the premiere of the series in an article for NBC.
Bid for freedom continues
Both Erik and Lyle were sentenced to life in prison in 1989 without a possibility of parole. However, due to changes in state legislation regarding juvenile offenders, they were resentenced in 2025 to 50 years in prison with the possibility of parole.
Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 when they killed their parents. They claimed they were sexually abused and murdered their parents in self-defence.
Their relatives have long campaigned for their release. These include their father’s sister, Teresita Menendez-Baralt, who testified on Erik’s behalf during his hearing and said she was dying from stage-four cancer.
"The truth is, I do not know how much time I have left. If Erik is granted parole, it would be a blessing," she told the parole board.
The brothers’ clemency request is separately considered by California Governor Gavin Newsom, which could result in a reduced sentence or even a pardon. However, this would not overturn the brothers’ conviction and the move could prove too controversial for Newsom who is seen as a potential Democratic nominee in the next presidential election.
The brothers have also asked for a new trial, arguing that there is new evidence in their case. The judge is currently considering their request, which is opposed by the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.
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