Despite Erik Menendez’s attorneys and supporters highlighting his college degree and volunteer programs in their bid to get him released on parole, a state board commissioner said Menendez’s behavior in prison contributed to the decision to deny his parole.
While Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman addressed Menendez’s possession of a cellphone inside the prison when he opposed their resentencing, other violations were discussed during Thursday’s hearing.
“Contrary to your supporters’ beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner, and frankly we find that a little disturbing,” Parole Commissioner Robert Barton said.
There were at least three fights or altercations Erik Menendez was involved with as revealed during the hearing.
After getting into a fight with “Mr. Brown” in November 1997, Menendez had a physical altercation with “Mr. Farmer” after he was moved to Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.
“I was guilty of mutual combat. I fought back,” Menendez said, claiming that he had to fight in self defense.
When questioned about the tax fraud Menendez committed in 2013, he explained that he had to commit the tax scheme as he was threatened by a prison gang.
“I was in tremendous fear,” Menendez said, claiming one of his prison friends had been stabbed and raped by the gang. “This was a great opportunity to align myself with them and to survive.”
In February 2018, Erik Menendez was also found to have invited someone into his cell to smoke Marijuana, with the inmate responding that he had received the drug from the same prison gang.