They deny probation to Erik Menéndez, convicted in California with his brother for the murder of his parents in 1989

But his struggle for freedom is not over.

The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, is considering separately a request for pardon for the brothers.

This could give them a reduction in penalty or even forgiveness, but I would not cancel the guilt of the brothers. To pronounce on such a media and controversial case, however, it could be politically risky for Newsom, who is considered a possible candidate for the US presidency for the 2028 elections.

In addition to probation and pardon, the brothers have also requested a new trial due to the appearance of new evidence in the case. A judge is studying the request, but the prosecution of the Los Angeles district opposes it.

During the hearing this Thursday, a district prosecutor opposed Erik's release, claiming that the positive changes in his behavior were only motivated by the possibility of being released.

They argued that “it is still an unreasonable risk for society” and that “it is not aware of its crimes.”

The minor of the Menéndez appeared virtually at the audience from the San Diego prison where he is held, dressed in a blue uniform of prisoner and glasses. The members of his family, his lawyers and a prosecutor from the Los Angeles Prosecutor's Office also appeared in a video call before the panel of the Board of Probation.

During the audience, which lasted almost all day, the Board asked him about the murders, the relationship with his parents and his attempts to cover up his guilt.

At some moments he was excited to describe the moments when he shot his parents, José and Kitty Menéndez with a shotgun, while watching television in his Beverly Hills mansion.

The brothers fired more than a dozen bullets and Erik even recharged the gun and continued shooting their mother. Both have long alleged that it was in self -defense and that they were being sexually abused by their father.

“I just want my family to understand that I deeply regret what I have made them happen from August 20, 1989 to today,” Erik said during the audience before knowing his destiny.

“If I ever have the opportunity to recover freedom, I want healing to be for them,” he said. “Do not think that it is my healing, but about family healing. This is a family tragedy.”

The Board asked him about his prison stay and his legal problems before the murders, including his participation in two robberies. He said his prison stay helped him develop a “moral barrier.”

The panel also examined factors such as Erik Menéndez's health and if he would be a danger to society if he left prison. A risk assessment carried out on him concluded that he would mean a “moderate” risk if he were released.

They reviewed education and positive programs in which he had participated in prison, along with the offenses he had committed while he was imprisoned, including fights in prison and having been found multiple times with smuggling.

While he was behind bars, he got into trouble having a cell phone, art and tobacco materials, which he had hidden inside a religious book.

A coalition of relatives, who have been advocating for the liberation of the brothers, and supporters also spoke to the Board, testifying that Erik had changed during their long sentence.

Teresita Menéndez-Baralt, sister of José Menéndez, broke down to cry while talking to the Board telling them that he had forgiven Erik for killing his brother and for the years of trauma that caused his family.

He said he is dying of cancer.

“The truth is that I don't know how long it has left. If Erik is granted probation, it would be a blessing,” he said. “I hope to live enough to welcome my house, sit at the same table, hug him … that would give me an immeasurable peace and joy.”

The media trials to the brothers were followed with attention in the US in the 90s.

During the trials, the brothers alleged that the murders were in self -defense and said they had suffered years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents.

However, prosecutors argued that they were greedy and privileged monsters who meticulously planned the murders and then lied to the authorities that investigated the case while spent US $ 700,000 of their parents' inheritance in purchases that included a new Porsche, a Jeep and Rolex watches.

They were not arrested until the police learned of their confessions to a psychologist.

Three decades later, the case was publicly reexamined thanks to a combination of new tests, a viral video chain in Tiktok, the Netflix dramatic series and the intervention of several celebrities.

But the courts did not act until the former general of Los Angeles re -examined the case and asked a judge to impose a new sentence, citing California's evolutionary approach towards youth criminals and abuse survivors.

A change in state legislation allows criminals who were less than 26 years old at the time of crime to be sentenced as minors instead of as adults. Lyle was 21 years old and Erik 18 when they killed her parents.

Although the new prosecutor of the Los Angeles district, Nathan Hochman, opposed the review of the sentence, in May a judge reduced his sentences between 50 years and perpetual chain with the possibility of probation.

Hochman accused Erik of continuing to “show narcissistic and antisocial features” and his office strongly opposed the courts to the release of both him and Lyle.

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