LOS ANGELES — Erik and Lyle Menendez are set to present their cases for parole starting Thursday, marking a significant moment in their nearly three-decade incarceration for the 1989 murders of their parents. The brothers were convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting their father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home.

The defense has maintained that the brothers acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse from their father. In contrast, prosecutors argued that the brothers were motivated by a desire to inherit their parents' wealth. In May, a Los Angeles judge reduced their sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California law, as they were under 26 at the time of the crimes.

The parole hearings will be conducted individually, with Erik Menendez's hearing scheduled for Thursday morning and Lyle Menendez's on Friday. Both will appear via videoconference from a San Diego prison. The parole board will evaluate whether releasing the brothers would pose an “unreasonable risk of danger to society.” Factors considered will include their criminal history, motivations for the crime, signs of remorse, behavior in prison, and future plans.

If the board approves their parole, the chief legal counsel will have 120 days to review the case. Following that, California Governor Gavin Newsom will have 30 days to affirm or deny the parole. Newsom has previously ordered a risk assessment of the brothers in response to a clemency request but has not indicated whether he supports their release. He has denied parole in high-profile cases before, including that of Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.

The Menendez brothers have family support, with relatives expected to speak at the hearings. Their family stated, “For more than 35 years, they have shown sustained growth. They’ve taken full accountability. They express sincere remorse to our family to this day and have built a meaningful life defined by purpose and service.”

The case has drawn significant public interest, inspiring numerous documentaries and dramatizations, including a Netflix series titled "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" and a documentary released in 2024. Increased awareness of the brothers as victims of abuse has garnered them a dedicated following, with supporters traveling to Los Angeles for rallies and court appearances.

The previous Los Angeles County district attorney initiated the process for potential freedom last fall by requesting a sentence reduction. However, current District Attorney Nathan Hochman has expressed opposition to their parole, stating that the brothers have “not demonstrated full insight into their crimes.” He compared their situation to that of Sirhan, who was denied parole due to a lack of insight into his actions.

Michael Beckman, a lawyer specializing in parole hearings, explained that insight involves taking full responsibility for one’s actions and understanding the underlying factors, such as anger and substance abuse. While Erik and Lyle have earned college degrees and participated in volunteer programs, recent rule violations could impact their chances for release. Reports indicate that Lyle was cited for possessing a cellphone multiple times in 2024, and Erik was found with one in January.

Beckman noted, “The board is really big on the philosophy that if you can’t follow the rules in prison, you can’t follow the rules in free society.” He added that parole decisions ultimately depend on individual commissioners, who may consider the brothers' celebrity status and family support in their evaluations. A media representative has been designated to observe the hearings virtually and provide updates to the press.