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A California judge has turned down a bid for a retrial for Erik and Lyle Menendez, asserting that allegations of sexual abuse did not outweigh their planning and intent when they murdered their parents over 35 years in the past.

Latest Ruling and Legal Background

The Monday ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Justice William C Ryan arrives just weeks after the siblings were refused early release and shuts another possible route to liberty for the pair, who have served nearly 30 years behind bars.

Erik and Lyle Menendez were given life sentences in 1996 for killing their father, their dad, and mom, their mother, in their luxury mansion in 1989. They were young adults at the time.

While their lawyers contended the brothers acted in self-defense after years of mistreatment, the state claimed the duo killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

Parole Hearings and Judge's Reasoning

The court official stated that new evidence that somewhat supports the abuse allegations claims the fact that the defendants acted with forethought and deliberation.

"The evidence alleged here is not so compelling that it would have created a reasonable doubt in the mind of at least one jury member," the court noted.

Mark Geragos, a legal representative for the siblings, did not immediately comment on the decision.

Latest Parole Outcomes

A board of two officials on August 22 rejected the older brother release for three years after a lengthy session. The panel observed that the older brother still displayed anti-social behaviors like deception, downplaying, and violating regulations.

Erik Menendez, who is held at the identical facility in Southern California, was likewise refused early release a day earlier, after officials concluded that his misbehavior in prison made him a danger to society.

Defendants' Statements and Support

During his hearing, Erik Menendez offered his most comprehensive account in years of how he was brought up and why he made the choices he did.

"I didn't grow up with a ethical grounding," he stated. "I was taught to lie, to cheat, to steal in an abstract way."

In recent months, backing from celebrities and increased awareness of the siblings as victims of abuse has contributed to gather a large number of supporters who have demanded their freedom.

The previous Los Angeles prosecutor first paved the way to potential freedom for the brothers by petitioning a judge to reduce their sentences.

After their conviction, the inmates have gotten an education, taken part in rehabilitative classes, and established various peer networks for fellow people in prison.

Final Remarks

The court's decision to finally reject the retrial request came after months of pushback from present prosecutors.