Menendez bros denied parole; prosecutors say Diddy doesn’t deserve new trial

Both Erik and Lyle Menendez were denied parole this week in their first-ever hearings since they killed their parents in 1989.

Erik was denied parole first on Thursday. During the 10-hour hearing, which he attended via video from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, the parole board complained about the brutal way in which he’d killed his mother and also about his bad behavior in prison.

The bad behavior included “inappropriate behavior with visitors,” “drug smuggling,” “misuse of state computers,” “violence incidents,” and “illegally using cellphones while leading rehabilitative groups,” according to ABC News.

“We find that you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety,” parole board commissioner Robert Barton said.

Erik Menendez has been denied parole.

(https://t.co/awex7k4Tby) pic.twitter.com/jwJWOoyx8y

— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 22, 2025

After the motion for parole was denied, Barton added, “You have two options: one is to have a pity party … and then you become a self-fulfilling prophecy, probably not getting granted [parole] next time. Or you can take to heart what we discussed.”

Erik’s relatives responded to the decision with disappointment.

“While we respect the decision, today’s outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for,” they said in a statement. “But our belief in Erik remains unwavering and we know he will take the Board’s recommendation in stride.”

“His remorse, growth, and the positive impact he’s had on others speak for themselves. We will continue to stand by him and hold to the hope he is able to return home soon,” they added.

During Lyle’s parole hearing Friday, which was also conducted via video from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, the board members praised him for being a “model inmate” but complained that “there are still signs” of wickedness running underneath.

“You have been a model inmate in many ways who has demonstrated the potential for change,” board commissioner Julie Garland said. “But despite all those outward positives, we see … you still struggle with anti-social personality traits like deception, minimization and rule-breaking that lie beneath that positive surface.”

Lyle Menendez has been denied parole, a day after his brother Erik was also denied.

(https://t.co/BE0c74JzD1) pic.twitter.com/LolgSMWs5V

— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 23, 2025

The brothers’ relatives responded to the second ruling by expressing their pride in the two men.

“The process for parole is exceptionally rigorous, but we are incredibly proud of how Erik and Lyle showed up — with honesty, accountability, and integrity,” they said.

“We know they will take time to reflect on the Board’s recommendations and will continue to lead, mentor, and build programs that support rehabilitation and hope for others. We know they are good men who have done the work to rehabilitate and are remorseful. We love them unconditionally and will continue to stand by them,” they added.

In separate news, federal prosecutors filed a motion this week arguing that Sean “Diddy” Combs doesn’t deserve a new trial on the grounds that “there was more than a sufficient basis” to support his conviction last month.

The motion was filed weeks after Combs’ attorneys filed their own motion demanding their client’s conviction be thrown out or that he be granted a new trial.

The motion argued that the law used to convict Combs, the Mann Act, was too broadly interpreted to apply to him.

How so? Because “there was insufficient evidence that Mr. Combs transported anyone with the intent to engage in ‘prostitution,’ even if it includes any sex for money.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs doesn’t deserve a new trial because “there was more than a sufficient basis” to support his conviction, federal prosecutors are arguing in a new court filing. pic.twitter.com/TrvMUkkPuc

— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) August 21, 2025

“Combs doesn’t dispute hiring male escorts but his attorneys argued in their July motion that the Mann Act doesn’t prohibit Combs’ conduct ‘because he lacked a commercial motive and did not intend for paid escorts to have sex with him,’ but rather to watch and video record them them having sex with girlfriends,” according to ABC News.

Federal prosecutors pushed back on this in their filing this week by arguing that the law doesn’t distinguish between voyeurism and profit.

“He transported escorts across state lines to engage in Freak Offs for pay,” they wrote. “He directed the sexual activity of escorts and victims throughout Freak Offs for his own sexual gratification. And he personally engaged in sexual activity during Freak Offs.”

“There was more than a sufficient basis, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, to support the counts of conviction,” they added.

Senior Staff Writer
[email protected]

V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

Latest posts by Vivek Saxena (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.