Lyle and Erik Menendez are set to attend their long-awaited parole hearings this week, marking a significant moment in their quest for freedom after spending 35 years in prison. Erik's hearing is scheduled for Thursday, while Lyle's will take place on Friday. Following the hearings, the California parole board will assess whether the brothers are suitable for release. The final decision will be made by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who can approve, deny, or modify the board's recommendation.

If granted parole, the Menendez brothers could be released immediately after the decision is finalized, which typically takes about five months. If denied, they could face a waiting period of three to 15 years before they can reapply for parole. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has noted that Newsom has the authority to exercise clemency and pardon the brothers at any time.

Lyle Menendez, now 57, and Erik Menendez, 54, were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. At the time of the crime, Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18. The brothers have claimed they acted in self-defense after enduring years of abuse from their father. However, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has opposed their release, labeling their self-defense claims as part of a series of lies.

In May, a judge resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life in prison, making them eligible for parole. This decision followed a recommendation from former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. The judge cited supportive letters from prison staff and noted the brothers' efforts to improve the lives of fellow inmates as factors in his decision. During the resentencing, both brothers admitted their guilt. "I killed my mom and dad," Lyle Menendez stated. "I give no excuses." Erik Menendez also acknowledged his wrongdoing, saying, "I committed an atrocious act. There is no justification for what I did."

In addition to the parole hearings, the brothers are pursuing a separate legal avenue. They filed a habeas corpus petition in 2023, seeking a new trial based on new evidence. This evidence includes allegations from a former member of the boy band Menudo, who claimed he was sexually abused by Jose Menendez, and a letter Erik wrote to his cousin detailing his alleged abuse. The district attorney's office has responded, arguing that the petition does not meet the necessary legal standards for a new trial.

The upcoming parole hearings will be conducted via video conference, with the brothers appearing from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Each hearing is expected to last two to three hours, during which the parole board will question the brothers and consider various factors, including their behavior in prison and their personal growth.

While the hearings are public, they will not be live-streamed. A reporter will attend the hearings and provide updates on the outcomes. The parole board's decision will be influenced by the brothers' past criminal history, their conduct while incarcerated, and the nature of the original crime.

If the parole board grants release, Governor Newsom will have 120 days to review the decision. He has previously overruled parole board recommendations in high-profile cases, which raises questions about the potential outcomes for the Menendez brothers. If denied, they can request a new hearing within three to 15 years, depending on the circumstances.