NewYou can listen to Fox News articles now!
one California Judge Menendez Brothers bid for a new trial, marking another setback for two men murdered by their parents in Beverly Hills in 1989, as one of them went to social media to explode a “disappointing” decision.
On Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled against Erik and Lyle Menendezultimately rejected a 2023 habeas petition filed by brother lawyers, Cliff Gardner and Mark Geragos, demanding a new trial according to Fox 11.
The petition holds that two new evidence supports the brothers’ claims about years of sexual abuse at the hands of his father, José Menendez.
This photo provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left and Lyle Menendez. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
The lawyers for the two pointed out that Erik allegedly wrote a letter to his cousin Andy Cano in 1988 or early 1989, as well as new charges from Roy Rosselló, a former member of the boy band Menudo who was also sexually abused by Menendez.
In the filing, the lawyer insisted that the new evidence “not only showed that Jose Menendez was a violent and cruel man who would sexually abuse his children, but also strongly that in fact – in fact – he still abused Erik Menendez after December 1988 – as the defense has been debating.”
But Judge William Ryan supports the indictment and determines that at the end of the jury trial, the new evidence is likely to lead to different results.
Erik Menendez held a remote parole hearing in August 2025. (CDCR)
In Facebook posts, Lyle was frustrated by the ruling while vowing to “the battle continues.”
“This disappointing decision did not escape the courage of Roy Rossello or the torture he lived in the hands of José Menendez,” Lyle wrote.
“Accounting that another rape victim of José Menendez would not affect the decision of at least one juror is an exercise in psychological gymnastics. And claiming that Erik’s writing is also meaningless and will also win gold in the psychological gymnastics category.
Lyle Menendez held a remote parole hearing in August 2025. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)
At a press conference Tuesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman doubled the judge’s decision by confirming it. New evidence It was reported that the requirements for the new trial were not met.
Hockman noted that in decades of letters written by Erik, the item was not a new thing and had never been mentioned in court before.
“Andy Kano did not prove the letter or its existence in two different trials,” Hockman said. “So, we don’t think it qualifies for the new qualification. We say it is not timely. They had this letter 35 years ago. To be timely, for a petition for habeas protection, you have to file a motion within five years of discovering new evidence.”
Menendez Brothers Bank conducts a new trial, as a backup if parole bid fails
Left Erik Menendez and his brother Lyle are in front of their Beverly Hills home. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The “last piece” attempt was a month after Erik and Lyle Menendez were paroled at a separate hearing in 1989. Kill your parentsJosé and Kitty Menendez.
The brothers, who were 18 and 21, were convicted in 1996.
After a full day of hearing, the California Parole Board hearing denied Lyle’s three years of parole, citing “history like antisocial personality traits such as deception, minimization, and breakdown of rules.”
Lyle, left, Erik Menendez left court on August 6, 1990 in Santa Monica, California. (AP Photo/Nick UT, File)
Similarly, the board also denied Erik’s parole, while Commissioner Robert Barton stressed the seriousness of his crimes and prison conduct.
“I believe in redemption or I wouldn’t have done the job,” Patton said. “But by legal standards, we find you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
The decision was the latest after the resentment hearing in May, and Judge Michael Jesic reduced the sentences of the brothers and falsehood to 50 pairs of lives, ultimately deeming they were eligible for parole considerations.
Both Erik and Lyle Menendez are eligible to reconsider parole in 2028.
Attorneys for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Menendez brothers did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Stepheny Price of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
