Erik Menendez was rushed to hospital after being diagnosed with a serious medical condition.
The 54-year-old was hospitalized after being diagnosed with kidney stones, according to TMZ. His family wouldn’t confirm the condition to ABC News.
Erik and his older brother Lyle, who is 57, were sentenced to life in prison after they were found guilty of killing their parents, Kitty and Jose, at their luxurious home in Beverly Hills in 1989.
After a prolonged effort to have their case revisited, a judge has now decided to reduce their sentences to 50 years to life, which means they are now eligible for parole.
The brothers are set to face a parole hearing in late August, with attorney Mark Geragos telling TMZ ‘it’s a serious condition’.
He told the outlet that Erik is being treated behind bars at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
Attorney Geragos stated, “I believe he should be granted parole furlough. I think this is the appropriate action, allowing him medical furlough ahead of the hearing so he can collaborate with the parole attorney. This will help him prepare, be ready, and give his best effort. It’s the only just and fair course of action.”
The brothers’ attorneys have long argued that their thirst for knowledge and pursuit of education during their time in prison proves they have spent the time wisely and bettered themselves.
This photo provided by the California Department of Corrections, shows Erik Menendez
Erik, right, and his older brother Lyle, left, were imprisoned for life after murdering their parents Kitty and Jose inside their swanky Beverly Hills home in 1996
The duo were 18 and 21 at the time they killed their parents.
Defense attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, while prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
In Los Angeles County Superior Court in May, Judge Michael Jesic gave the brothers a renewed sense of hope by reducing their sentences.
‘I’m not saying they should be released, it’s not for me to decide,’ Jesic said. ‘I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years, that they should get that chance.’
The previous LA County District Attorney George Gascón had opened the door to possible freedom for the brothers last fall by asking a judge to reduce their sentences.
Gascón’s office said the case would’ve been handled differently today due to modern understandings of sexual abuse and trauma, and the brothers’ rehabilitation over three decades in prison.
A resentencing petition laid out by Gascón focuses on the brothers’ accomplishments and rehabilitation.
On August 20, 1989, armed with two shotguns, the brothers shot both parents to death as they watched a movie at their Beverly Hills mansion.
Defense attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, Lyle is seen here on the right alongside his brother
The duo were 18 and 21 at the time they killed their parents, they are seen here alongside their mom Kitty and dad Jose
Erik Menendez (L) and his brother Lyle (R) listen during a pre-trial hearing, on December 29, 1992 in Los Angeles
Their trial prompted worldwide headlines. Prosecutors said their motive was greed, as they stood to inherit $14 million from their parents.
The brothers insisted they acted against a father who sexually abused them for years and a mother who turned a blind eye to the abuse.
The first trial ended with a hung jury. But at a second trial in 1996 – where the judge refused to allow any evidence about the brothers being molested by their father – they were convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.
California Governor Gavin Newsom could seek to grant the siblings clemency, but said he would wait until their final parole beard hearing to decide.
Last month images emerged of Erik smirking as he accepted a bachelor’s degree with top academic honors from behind bars.
The images were shared by his proud stepdaughter Talia who shared a carousel of new images boasting of his achievements in prison.
‘My dad graduated from UC Irvine (UCI) with his bachelor’s degree – summa cum laude,’ she wrote.
‘For those who don’t know, that means he graduated with the highest honors, recognizing top academic excellence.’
In the happy snaps, Erik beamed as he stood shoulder to shoulder with other graduates wearing a cap and gown.
