News Releases

The California Board of Parole Hearings conducted proceedings by video conference in Sacramento today, with Lyle Menendez appearing from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Erik Menendez was denied parole at his hearing yesterday. Deputy District Attorney Ethan Milius presented our office’s arguments remotely from the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles.

Statement 

The Parole Board in a separate parole hearing from his brother, conducted by a completely different reviewing commissioner and deputy commissioner, evaluated evidence relating to the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez and post-conviction evidence specific to him, rightly denied parole to Lyle Menendez. The commissioners concluded that the evidence demonstrated Lyle continues to engage in antisocial behavior through repeated rules violations. I applaud the Board for its thorough and independent review of the evidence. This decision honors the memory of Jose and Kitty Menendez, who were savagely murdered in their Beverly Hills home on Aug. 20, 1989. The panel found today that Lyle Menendez continues to represent a risk to public safety.

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.

The parole process is guided by evidence and public safety, not by spectacle, shifting public opinion, or personal agendas. After weighing the facts, the Board’s analysis was consistent with that of our office: Both Menendez brothers remain unsuitable for release. Independent psychological evaluations further classify them as presenting a moderate risk.

Parole may be considered in the future if Lyle Menendez fully accepts responsibility for the brutal killings of his parents, but until that time, he remains unfit for release.

I commend Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian and Deputy District Attorneys Ethan Milius and Seth Carmack for their exceptional work. Their diligence and integrity ensured that the Board had a complete and accurate record to guide its decision.

Our office, along with our strong team of prosecutors, will continue to attend future hearings to present the facts and advocate for justice and public safety, ensuring that every argument is made with precision and impact. And to ensure that the voices of Jose and Kitty Menendez are never forgotten.

The next parole hearing for Lyle Menendez is in three years.