Menendez Brothers’ Request for New Trial Denied; Criticizes Judge’s Ruling as ‘Mental Gymnastics’

A judge in California has refused the Menendez brothers’ request for a new trial, representing a further disappointment for the men who were convicted of murdering their parents with a shotgun in Beverly Hills in 1989. One of the brothers expressed his frustration over the “disappointing” ruling on social media.

On Monday, a judge in Los Angeles Superior Court decided not to grant Erik and Lyle Menendez a new trial, dismissing a 2023 habeas corpus petition submitted by their lawyers, Cliff Gardner and Mark Geragos, as reported by FOX 11.

The petition presented two new pieces of evidence intended to support the brothers’ allegations of enduring years of sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez.

Similarly, the board also denied parole for Erik, with Commissioner Robert Barton emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and conduct in prison. 

“I believe in redemption, or I wouldn’t be doing this job,” stated Judge Barton. “However, based on the legal standards, we conclude that you still present an unreasonable risk to public safety.”

This ruling follows a resentencing in May where Judge Michael Jesic reduced the brothers’ life-without-parole sentences to 50-to-life, making them eligible for parole consideration.

Both Erik and Lyle Menendez are eligible to be reconsidered for parole in 2028. 

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Menendez brothers’ lawyers have yet to respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.