Lyle and Erik Menendez recently spoke about the murders of their parents during parole hearings, shedding light on their perspectives regarding the infamous case. The brothers fatally shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, on August 20, 1989, in their Beverly Hills, California, home. They claim the killings were acts of self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse by their father.

During their first parole hearings last week, both brothers were denied release. The parole boards noted that while Erik and Lyle Menendez have made efforts to rehabilitate themselves and assist other inmates, they also violated prison rules.

At Erik Menendez's hearing, he recounted a significant conversation with Lyle just five days before the murders. He revealed that he confided in Lyle about the sexual abuse he had suffered from their father. Erik stated, "My purpose in getting the guns was to protect myself in case my father or my mother came at me to kill me, or my father came in the room to rape me."

When asked by Commissioner Robert Barton why he did not seek help or leave, Erik responded, "My absolute belief that I could not get away. Maybe it sounds completely irrational and unreasonable today."

Erik described the moments leading up to the shootings, saying, "Lyle came to the top of the stairs after my dad ordered me to [my] room and said he was coming up. My focus was, 'Dad’s coming to my room. I can’t let him come to my room.'" He recalled running to get the gun, driven by fear. "You would have to live my experience to understand … if my dad exited that den, I was dead," he said.

Erik admitted to shooting his mother, stating that he felt betrayed because she was aware of the abuse. "I saw my mother and my father as one person after I learned that she knew [about the alleged sexual abuse]," he explained.

Lyle Menendez, during his hearing, stated that he did not purchase the shotguns with the intention of killing their parents but rather for "emotional protection." He described the moment of the shooting as one of overwhelming fear, saying, "Really the only thought in my head was -- it was happening now, I needed to get to the door first. Fear overwhelmed reason."

When asked about his feelings after the murders, Lyle said, "I dropped my gun and walked out. I think shock. Numb at that point. Still panicked for a while." He expressed regret, particularly regarding his mother, stating, "'Cause I loved her and couldn’t imagine harming her in any way."

Following the murders, the brothers were not arrested for six months. Lyle shared that he felt shame during that time, saying, "I felt the need to suffer. That it was no relief. I sort of started to feel like I had not rescued my brother. I destroyed his life. I’d rescued nobody."

The Menendez brothers will be eligible to apply for parole again in three years, although good behavior could reduce that wait to 18 months.