Erik Menendez, who alongside his brother Lyle is serving time for the 1989 murders of their parents, has recently been hospitalized due to what his attorney describes as a serious medical condition.
On July 18, Erik was transferred to an outside medical facility for treatment, as confirmed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
While details about his condition remain limited due to medical privacy laws, the department stated he is currently in fair condition.
Attorney Mark Geragos, representing the Menendez brothers, noted the seriousness of Erik’s medical issue but did not provide specific details.
Reports from TMZ and the Los Angeles Times suggest that Erik is dealing with kidney stones.
Given his condition, Geragos has petitioned for Erik Menendez to be granted a furlough from prison to better prepare for an upcoming parole hearing scheduled for August 21-22.
He stated, “I think right now that is the appropriate thing to do…” highlighting the urgency of Erik’s health situation in relation to his legal circumstances.
The Menendez brothers had originally been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the killings of Jose and Mary Louise ‘Kitty’ Menendez in their Beverly Hills home.
However, a significant development occurred in May when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic re-sentenced them to 50 years to life in prison.
This new sentence made them eligible for parole consideration, as they were under 26 years old at the time of the crime.
If the parole board recommends their release, the decision will subsequently be presented to Governor Gavin Newsom, who will have 90 days to assess the recommendation.
Governor Newsom has the authority to approve or reject the board’s decision.
In addition to seeking parole, attorneys for the brothers have also submitted a request for clemency from the governor.
Lyle Menendez, now 57, and Erik Menendez, 54, have spent nearly 35 years in prison following the tragic events of August 20, 1989.
The brothers assert that the shootings were the result of prolonged abuse, including allegations of sexual abuse by their father, Jose Menendez.
Conversely, District Attorney Nathan Hochman has opposed their release, asserting that the brothers have misrepresented the motives behind their actions.
Earlier, they claimed they believed their parents were conspiring to kill them.
During May’s hearing, Judge Jesic acknowledged the brothers’ commendable efforts while incarcerated, which influenced his decision to grant a new sentence.
He cited letters of support he received from correctional officers, including a lieutenant, which played a crucial role in his ruling.
Furthermore, a court petition filed in 2023 by the brothers’ legal team referenced two new pieces of evidence purporting to substantiate their claims of longstanding sexual abuse by their father.
One piece was a letter allegedly written by Erik Menendez to his cousin in late 1988 or early 1989, while the other involved recent allegations from Roy Rosselló, a former member of the band Menudo, claiming he too was a victim of abuse by Jose Menendez.
image source from：patch
