Erik Menendez denied parole after hearing in California

The board ultimately decided Erik would continue to “pose an unreasonable risk to public safety” if released, listing his teenage criminal history, the brutality of the 1989 killings and “serious violations” of prison rules. He may be eligible for parole again in three years, the board said.

In explaining their decision on Thursday, the board made clear that Erik's behaviour in prison and his previous burglaries were big factors in his denial. They also cited the brutal nature of the killings, calling it "devoid of human compassion".

In 1995, a jury convicted both brothers of first-degree murder in the 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez inside their Los Angeles-area home. The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996.

But several issues that dominated Erik's hearing are likely to also be vulnerabilities for Lyle, who will appear by video conference from R.J. Donovan Correction Facility, a prison outside San Diego where Erik is also incarcerated.