Inside the Parole Hearing that Could Free the Menendez Brothers: Experts Say They Could Be Home This Weekend

The Menendez brothers could spend their first weekend at home since March 8, 1990, when they were arrested for the murders of their parents. As Lyle and Erik Menendez finally approach their first-ever parole hearing, The Latin Times sat down with legal experts to discuss their possible future and the steps of the parole process.

The infamous brothers made a giant step towards their freedom after having their sentences reduced to allow for the possibility of parole in May of this year. Since they were younger than 26 when they committed the murders, their resentencing allowed for an early release due to California's youthful offender law.

Los Angeles attorney Ron Zambrano, Esq., a lawyer from the West Coast Trial Lawyers firm, believes the brothers have a strong chance at freedom, stating, "I wouldn't be surprised if they were released on parole under strict conditions like house arrest."

However, Zambrano has acknowledged that the rule infractions committed by the brothers while incarcerated could impede their path to freedom. He referred to the fact that they were caught with contraband cell phones, stating, "They could be in trouble if the parole board members are sticklers to the rules". However, he felt that it was "nothing major."

Other incidents, like fights in the prison yard, have other legal experts questioning their chances. Attorney Nancy Tetrault told The Los Angeles Times that "They have serious rule violations, including fights, including not coming in from the yards when they were told to. That doesn't sound that bad, but it can be, depending on what they were doing in the yard."

While former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón was in favor of their resentencing, his successor, Nathan Hochman, has vocally opposed the possibility of their release since "The central defense of the Menendez brothers at trial has always been self-defense, not sexual abuse. The jury rejected this self-defense defense in finding them guilty of the horrific murders they perpetrated..." Nevertheless, the hearings will occur with Hochman arguing against their release in court.

The hearings, which are expected to last two to three hours, will primarily question each brother on their motivations and rehabilitation, and both sides will present their case. Erik and Lyle, as well as their attorney, Heidi Rummel, will appear in court over video conference. Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers and the most outward face of the family, has stated on her TikTok account that "this is a virtual hearing, so I will be in my house... watching it on my computer... Do not show up... I won't be there. Nobody's going to be there."

Erik is scheduled to face the board on Thursday, August 21, at 9 am, Pacific Time. Lyle will do it on Friday on the same schedule.

The parole board must assess whether the brothers "pose an unreasonable risk to public safety." Hochman's office will appear to argue against release, bolstered by evidence from a 75-page Statement of View alleging the brothers' "shifting stories," fabricated alibis, and initial claims of a "mafia hit."

The highly public and controversial nature of the case has other legal analysts unsure about their chances of release. LA criminal defense attorney Ben Michael argues that "It's actually pretty hard to say if they will be granted parole or not...this is such a highly contested case, and it is one where public, and even legal, opinions have changed quite a bit over the years. I imagine there is going to be a lot of pressure from the public on both sides of the argument that may influence their ability to be granted parole, since it is such a well-known, public case."

If the brothers are granted parole, the governor of California will have 120 days to review or reject the decision. Governor Gavin Newsom has declined to comment on his opinion of the case, but due to his past decisions to reject the parole of Sirhan Sirhan, the convicted assassin of Robert F. Kennedy, and Leslie Van Houten, a member of the Manson family, many are skeptical of a positive outcome. If the brothers' appeal for parole is denied, they can arrange for a new hearing in the next 3 to 15 years.