Erik Menendez denied parole: Why he claimed he killed his parents
Erik Menendez appears via video during parole hearing at Donovan Correctional Facility. Credit: California Department Corrections and Rehabilitation
The California Board of Parole denied Erik Menendez release on August 21, 2025, after he served 35 years behind bars for murdering his parents. In the hearing, Erik offered his most detailed account yet, insisting the killings were born out of fear and desperation after enduring years of sexual and emotional abuse by his father and perceived betrayal by his mother. Here’s what he said, and why the board still denied parole.
Erik’s Self-Defense Claim: Years of Abuse
During the nearly 10-hour virtual hearing, Erik Menendez recounted a childhood marred by sexual abuse from his father and emotional neglect by his mother. He described feeling trapped and terrified, saying, “My father was the most terrifying human being I’d ever met.” Erik insisted running away or seeking help was inconceivable and felt the only escape was through violence.
He addressed killing his mother by stating he saw her as an accomplice, having known of the abuse and not intervening. “I saw my mother and my father as one person,” he told commissioners.
Board Rejects Self-Defense, Cites Prison Behavior
The parole board did not accept Erik’s portrayal of self-defense. Though they acknowledged the emotional weight of his claims, commissioners emphasized that his recent conduct in prison, not the original crime, was the decisive factor. Erik’s record included violations such as drug smuggling, cellphone possession, violence, misuse of state computers, and inappropriate behavior with visitors.
Parole Commissioner Robert Barton stated that Erik still posed an “unreasonable risk to public safety,” and noted that emotional support and remorse do not outweigh poor prison conduct.
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Prosecutors’ Angle: Greed and Inheritance
Prosecutors countered the abuse narrative by suggesting the brothers’ actions were premeditated, motivated by financial gain. Evidence cited included a lavish spending spree immediately following the murders.
Although Erik Menendez presented new evidence, including a pre-murder letter outlining his father’s abuse, critics still deemed the claims fabricated post-crime, intended to evade responsibility.
What’s Next?
Erik Menendez must wait three years before his next parole consideration. Meanwhile, his brother Lyle’s hearing is scheduled for the following day, drawing continued public and legal scrutiny.
Meanwhile, a judge’s resentencing in May reduced both brothers’ terms from life without parole to 50 years to life, making parole eligibility possible under youth offender laws.
This hearing underscores the complex interplay between alleged abuse, legal defenses, and behavioral accountability. Erik’s self-defense claims reignited debate, not just about the killings, but also about how trauma is treated in the justice system. Yet the parole board reminded the public that rehabilitation is as crucial as remorse when considering release.
