Topics: Menendez Brothers, True crime, US News, Crime
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
The wife of convicted killer Erik Menendez has shared a damning theory after the inmate received an update on his bid for parole.
Erik and his brother, Lyle Menendez, were both sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms without the possibility of parole in 1996 as a result of the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in August 1989.
At the time, the defense argued the brothers had acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse by their father, but it wasn't until last year that a letter written by Erik came to light and backed their claims, leading the way to the brothers being resentenced.
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Written to Erik's cousin, the note read: "I’ve been trying to avoid dad. It's still happening Andy but it's worse for me now. I never know when it's going to happen and its driving me crazy. Every night I stay up thinking he might come in."
Following the new evidence, an LA County Superior Court judge granted Erik and Lyle a new sentence of 50 years to life and they became immediately eligible for parole.
Erik went up in front of the parole board first on Thursday (August 21), but ultimately parole board commissioner Robert Barton ruled that he was not ready for release.
Explaining his decision, Barton said: "I believe in redemption, or I wouldn't be doing this job, but based on the legal standards, we find that you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety."
In the wake of the news, Erik's wife, Tammi, slammed Barton's ruling and took to X, formerly Twitter, to share her theory on why Erik was really denied parole.
She wrote: "Parole Commissioner Robert Barton had his mind made up to deny Erik parole from the start! This was a complete setup, and Erik never stood a chance!"
Barton's decision came despite relatives of Erik advocating for his release.
In response to the testimony, Barton said: "Two things can be true. They can love and forgive you, and you can still be found unsuitable for parole."
Barton further backed his decision by drawing on reports of Erik's behavior while in prison, where he is alleged to have worked with a prison gang, bought drugs, used mobile phones and helped with a tax scam while in jail, Sky News reports.
Following Erik's denial, he will next be eligible for parole in three years.
Meanwhile, his brother Lyle is set to appear by video conference for his parole hearing today (August 22).
UNILAD has reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for comment on Tammi's claims.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org.
