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Prison conduct and contraband: Four things we learned from Erik Menendez's parole hearing Prison conduct and contraband: What we learned from Menendez parole hearings
(about 20 hours later)
The younger Menendez appeared virtually for Thursday's hearing Erik (left) appeared before his parole board a day before his brother Lyle (right)
Erik Menendez's lengthy parole hearing in California on Thursday contained several insights into his time behind bars - some of which factored into the board's decision to refuse his request for release. Erik and Lyle Menendez were denied parole after appearing before separate boards in California this week.
Along with his brother Lyle, Erik has spent decades behind bars for the shotgun killings of his wealthy parents in 1989, which was also discussed at the hearing. The brothers claimed self-defence, and have long pushed for their freedom. The brothers have spent decades behind bars for killing their wealthy parents in 1989. They claimed self-defence, and have long pushed for their freedom.
Lyle has a hearing of his own on Friday. Here is some of what we learned about the killings and Erik's time in prison, based on Thursday's hearing, which he attended virtually. Erik, now 54, attended his hearing on Thursday. Lyle, 57, appeared before a different panel on Friday. Both hearings were lengthy and held remotely.
They revealed details about the pair's time in prison – some of which explain why the panels denied their release.
Prison behaviour, not killings, prompted refusalPrison behaviour, not killings, prompted refusal
The parole commissioner, Robert Barton, said the main reason for his denial was not the killings themselves, but Menendez's behaviour in prison. In Erik's case, parole commissioner Robert Barton said the main reason for his denial was not the killings themselves, but Menendez's behaviour in prison.
Barton rejected any notion that Menendez had been a "model prisoner", though he said he was "gaining insight". There was discussion of Menendez's involvement in fights, drug use and even a tax-fraud scam while linked to a gang. Barton rejected the notion that he had been a "model prisoner". He cited Menendez's involvement in fights, drug use and even a tax-fraud scam while linked to a gang.
Menendez earned Barton's censure over his possession of prohibited materials - in particular his repeated illicit use of a mobile phone. Erik was revealed to have stashed banned objects including ingredients for making wine and art materials – which he used to decorate his cell.
"What I got in terms of the phone and my connection with the outside world was far greater than the consequences of me getting caught with the phone," Menendez explained. But he said he had later rethought this view. Barton said Menendez's "institutional misconduct showed a lack of self-awareness".
Full story: Erik Menendez denied parole Erik Menendez rejected for parole
The brothers' three paths to freedom Lyle joins brother in being denied release
Three paths to freedom
Brothers' family members call for their releaseBrothers' family members call for their release
At Lyle's hearing the next day, parole commissioner Julie Garland acknowledged the prisoner's "remorse" and the changes he had made while incarcerated.
"But despite all those outward positives, we see... you still struggle with anti-social personality traits like deception, minimisation and rule breaking that lie beneath that positive surface," Garland said.
Garland said "incarcerated people who break rules" are more likely to break rules in society.
Mobile phone problems
Both boards highlighted the brothers' repeated use of mobile phones – which are prohibited in prisons.
Erik stated that he initially felt that connecting with the outside world meant more to him "than the consequences of me getting caught with the phone", but he said he had later rethought this view.
The issue of phones also featured prominently in Lyle's case – he has pleaded guilty to a mobile phone violation as recently as March of this year.
Although he had a tablet that he was allowed to use, Lyle explained that he had resorted to mobile phones because they gave him more privacy.
"I would never call myself a model incarcerated person. I would say that I'm a good person, that I spent my time helping people," Lyle told the board, noting he's done a lot for vulnerable inmates.
Menendez saw father and mother 'as one person'Menendez saw father and mother 'as one person'
Menendez, who was 18 at the time of the crime, was asked why he and brother shot dead their parents rather than simply leave home. Erik, who was 18 at the time of the murders, was asked why he and brother had shot dead their parents rather than simply leave home.
He and his brother have long claimed the killings were a matter of self-defence, as their father was sexually abusing them. They have long claimed the killings were a matter of self-defence, as their father was sexually abusing them.
"When I look back at the person I was then and what I believed about the world and my parents, running away was inconceivable," Menendez responded. "Running away meant death.""When I look back at the person I was then and what I believed about the world and my parents, running away was inconceivable," Menendez responded. "Running away meant death."
Asked why they killed their mother as well as their father, Menendez said he "saw them as one person" after he learned that his mother was aware of the abuse. He added: "I just want my family to understand that I am so unimaginably sorry for what I have put them through."
Contraband art materials also caused trouble Lyle, who is regarded as the dominant brother, also insisted that more than three decades on he was a different person.
As well as the mobile phone, the other contraband goods that Menendez was revealed to have stashed included candles, ingredients for making wine, and art materials. "I'm profoundly sorry for who I was… for the harm that everyone has endured. I will never be able to make up for the harm and grief I caused everyone in my family."
The art supplies had been used to decorate his cell. Asked why they killed their mother as well as their father, Erik said he "saw them as one person" after he learned that his mother was aware of the abuse.
Commenting on the smuggled goods, Barton said Menendez's "institutional misconduct showed a lack of self-awareness". Lyle said it was his "honest belief" at the time that his parents "were going to kill" him.
More than a dozen relatives back brothers' releaseMore than a dozen relatives back brothers' release
Acknowledging the impact of his crimes on his relatives, Menendez told the hearing: "I just want my family to understand that I am so unimaginably sorry for what I have put them through." Many people, mostly relatives, spoke in their support during the hearings.
Eighteen people, most of whom are relatives, spoke during the hearing in support of his release. The brothers' aunt Teresita Menendez-Baralt, tearfully said she forgave the pair for killing her brother. Explaining that she had late-stage cancer, she spoke of her wish to welcome Erik into her home to "wrap my arms around" him before it was too late.
One of them, the brothers' aunt Teresita Menendez-Baralt, tearfully said she forgave the pair for killing her brother. Explaining that she had late-stage cancer, she spoke of her wish to welcome Erik into her home to "wrap my arms around" him before it was too late. Lyle's cousin Eileen Cano, who spoke at both hearings, told the board that she is amazed by how much Lyle had achieved despite facing life in prison.
Barton acknowledged the support, but told Menendez: "Two things can be true. They can love and forgive you, and you can still be found unsuitable for parole." "While most people surrender to the crushing weight of prison life, Lyle rose above it," she said.
"Lyle will not be a risk to the community because we as a family will hold him accountable," she continued. "Delaying his release would serve no purpose.."
Barton acknowledged the support, but told Erik: "Two things can be true. They can love and forgive you, and you can still be found unsuitable for parole."
Watch: Moments from the Menendez brothers trial in 1993Watch: Moments from the Menendez brothers trial in 1993