If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or watched the latest Netflix dramatization, you probably think you know everything about Lyle and Erik Menendez. You’ve seen the 1990s court footage of the chunky sweaters and the tearful testimony about their father, Jose. But when it comes to the hard numbers—specifically how long were the menendez brothers in jail—there’s a lot of confusion floating around.
The short answer? A long time. They’ve been behind bars since the George H.W. Bush administration.
To be precise, as of early 2026, the Menendez brothers have spent nearly 36 years in custody. They were arrested in March 1990. They haven't breathed free air since. For context, when they went in, the World Wide Web was barely a thing and "Vogue" by Madonna was the number one song in the country.
The Timeline of Their Incarceration
The clock started ticking on March 8, 1990, for Lyle, and three days later for Erik. They were young—Lyle was 22 and Erik was only 19. They spent the next several years in the Los Angeles County Jail system while their two trials played out like a proto-reality TV show.
Most people forget that they weren't actually sentenced to prison until 1996. After two hung juries and a second trial that many critics called a "sham" because the judge limited evidence of abuse, they were handed life sentences without the possibility of parole (LWOP).
For over 30 years, that was the end of the story. They were moved to different high-security facilities. They grew old. They got married. They did what people do when they think they are never, ever coming home.
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Where Are They Now and Why Are They Still There?
For a long time, the brothers were separated. Lyle was up at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, while Erik was tucked away at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. It wasn't until 2018 that they were finally reunited at the Donovan facility.
Kinda crazy, right? They spent twenty years without even seeing each other's faces.
In May 2025, a massive shift happened. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic resentenced them to 50 years to life. Because they were under 26 at the time of the murders, they became eligible for immediate parole under California’s "youthful offender" laws.
Recent Parole Setbacks in 2025
While 2025 seemed like the year they’d finally walk out, things took a turn.
- Erik Menendez had his parole hearing on August 21, 2025. He was denied. The board cited a "moderate risk" to public safety, specifically mentioning some prison rule violations involving cell phones.
- Lyle Menendez had his hearing the following day, August 22. He was also denied.
The board basically said, "We see the work you've done, but not yet." They were both given three-year denials. This means they won't be eligible to try again until 2028, unless a legal miracle happens before then.
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Why Do People Still Care?
Honestly, the resurgence of this case is wild. You've got Kim Kardashian writing essays about them. You've got new evidence, like the 1988 letter Erik wrote to his cousin Andy Cano, which seemingly supports his claims of sexual abuse by his father.
There's also the Roy Rosselló allegation. The former Menudo member came forward recently alleging that Jose Menendez also assaulted him. This "new" evidence is what really pushed the former D.A., George Gascón, to recommend the resentencing in the first place.
But even with all that heat, the law moves slow. The brothers are currently 58 and 55 years old. They have spent more of their lives inside a concrete box than they ever spent in their Beverly Hills mansion.
Breaking Down the Years
If you're trying to keep the math straight, here is the breakdown of their time:
- Arrested: March 1990
- Sentenced to Life: July 1996
- Resentenced: May 2025
- Total Time Served as of January 2026: Roughly 35 years and 10 months.
They are currently housed in the Echo Yard at the Donovan facility. It’s a specialized yard for inmates who have shown significant rehabilitation. Lyle has actually been a leader there, helping run programs and even working on a massive beautification project to make the prison look less like a soul-crushing warehouse.
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What Happens Next?
Is it possible they get out before 2028? Maybe. There are a few paths left:
Governor Clemency
Governor Gavin Newsom has been sitting on a clemency request for a while. He’s been cautious, especially after the new D.A., Nathan Hochman, took a more skeptical stance on the brothers' release. If Newsom decides to commute their sentences further, they could walk tomorrow. But don't hold your breath; politicians rarely take that kind of risk unless the public pressure is overwhelming.
The Habeas Corpus Petition
Their lawyers are still fighting the conviction itself based on the new evidence from the Menudo member and the Erik/Cano letter. If a court decides that the original jury didn't have all the facts, they could potentially get a third trial—though that seems less likely than parole.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you’re tracking this, stop looking at celebrity social media for updates. They usually get the legal nuances wrong. Instead, keep an eye on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) public inmate locator and the official Los Angeles County Superior Court dockets.
The most important thing to watch for is any statement from Governor Newsom's office regarding "commutation." That’s the "Get Out of Jail Free" card they are really waiting for. Until then, the Menendez brothers will remain exactly where they’ve been for the last 36 years: behind the wire in San Diego.
Check the CDCR website every few months for updated hearing dates. Be wary of "breaking news" on TikTok that doesn't cite a court filing or an official statement from their attorney, Mark Geragos. Understanding the difference between a "resentencing" and a "parole grant" is key—they got the first, but the second is what actually opens the gate.