Erik Menendez, who along with his brother Lyle was convicted of murdering their parents, was denied parole Thursday, a day after the 36-year anniversary of their murders.

The nearly 10-hour hearing was held behind closed doors at a California state prison with some media present, and ended with a three-year denial—considered a minimal term under parole standards.

Menendez, 53, retains the right to petition for an earlier hearing, officials said.

The panel, led by Commissioner Robert Barton, cited serious rule violations while incarcerated, including illicit cell phone use and involvement in a tax fraud scheme, as key factors in their decision.

“We certainly did not give this case short shrift,” Barton said. “We probably spent four times more than we do on our usual average here.”

Alth

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