The Menendez Brothers May Get Out of Prison
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (99918)
United States
May 14, 2025 6:11am CST
The infamous Menendez brothers, who brutally killed their parents in 1989 are now immediately eligible for parole after having their sentences reduced after new hearings were conducted.
Will they get out? That is yet to be determined. Should they? I don't think so.
I get the sob stories they told about being sexually abused by their father and their mother turning a blind eye to it. At the same time, whether or not the story is true (and I have my suspicions about that), I don't think it justifies murder. To me, there are simply other options that would have been better. Seeking prosecution, for example. Or simply moving out and removing themselves from their situation.
I think what simply happened, more than anything, is that the Menendez brothers were simply spoiled, entitled brats who saw a pile of money they did not have access to, and didn't want to wait for it. So, they sped up the means of getting it, and thought they could get away with it.
What say you?
4 people like this
5 responses
@PinkFloydFan (1140)
• United States
14 May
It doesn't justify murder, but it should be nuanced.
I don't know why "life" is considered 20 years in the US. Surprised it's been 35 years already, because I remember when this happened.
1 person likes this
@porwest (99918)
• United States
15 May
Well, their original sentence was two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. I guess that would have put them around at least a minimum of 50 years according to California sentencing laws that would have had to be served concurrently and for the full term. Changing the sentence makes them immediately eligible for parole. Whether they get out is another question, and who knows what happens. But I think they shouldn't get out.
1 person likes this
@PinkFloydFan (1140)
• United States
15 May
@porwest I see. I just think abusive parents deserve some blame, meaning the brothers deserve a little less.
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (15001)
• Torrington, Connecticut
14 May
May or may not either way there are both murderes, they should have been executed in my opinion
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38618)
• Philippines
14 May
You bring up strong points, and I agree this case remains deeply unsettling. The Menendez brothers were given fair trials, and despite their claims of abuse, the evidence pointed to premeditated murder. While their allegations may have explained some of the emotional background, they didn’t excuse the brutal act of killing their parents. There were other paths they could have taken—legal action, leaving home, or seeking help. But instead, they planned and carried out the murders, which the court rightly treated with the seriousness it deserved.
Now that they’re eligible for parole due to changes in sentencing laws, it doesn’t automatically mean they’ll be released. It simply gives the parole board a chance to assess whether they’ve truly changed after decades in prison. Still, many feel the gravity of what they did outweighs any argument for freedom. It’s a tough call, but justice must consider both accountability and whether someone can be safely reintroduced to society—and in their case, that’s a very high bar to clear.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (43548)
• United States
14 May
I feel exactly the same way. I have trouble having any sympathy for them.
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@LindaOHio (188720)
• United States
14 May
I say don't let them out. Just like the Manson family...keep them in prison.
1 person likes this
