Erik Menendez, currently serving a life sentence for the 1989 murders of his parents, has been hospitalized due to a serious medical condition, according to his attorney. Mark Geragos announced the news on Tuesday, just weeks before Menendez is scheduled to attend a parole hearing with his brother, Lyle.

Menendez was transported to an outside medical facility on July 18. A spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that he remains in fair condition but did not disclose specific details about his health due to privacy laws. Geragos indicated that the medical issue may involve kidney stones but did not provide further information.

Geragos has requested that Menendez be granted a furlough from prison to prepare for the upcoming parole hearing, which is set for August 21-22. He stated, "I think right now that is the appropriate thing to do…"

The Menendez brothers, aged 54 and 57, were resentenced in May to 50 years to life in prison after a Los Angeles judge determined they did not pose an unreasonable risk if released. This ruling made them eligible for parole consideration, as they were under 26 years old at the time of the crime.

The brothers were originally sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the shotgun killings of their parents, José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989. They have maintained that the murders were committed in self-defense after years of alleged abuse from their father.

During the resentencing hearing, Erik Menendez described his actions as "cruel and vicious" and accepted responsibility for the crimes. The prosecution, however, argued that the motive was financial gain, labeling the killings as cold-blooded.

The brothers' case has gained renewed attention through recent documentaries, which have sparked discussions about their past and the circumstances surrounding the murders. Supporters have pointed to their claims of abuse and their rehabilitation efforts while incarcerated.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman has opposed their release, asserting that the brothers have not been truthful about their motivations for the killings. He noted that they previously claimed they acted out of fear for their lives, believing their parents intended to kill them.

In May, Judge Michael Jesic expressed his belief that the brothers deserved a new sentence based on their contributions to the prison community and the support they received from correctional officers.

Additionally, a recent court petition from the brothers' attorneys highlighted new evidence that they argue supports their claims of long-term abuse by their father. This includes a letter allegedly written by Erik Menendez and recent allegations from a former member of the boy band Menudo, who claimed he was also abused by José Menendez.