Rosie O'Donnell Demands 'Free the Menendez Brothers' After Lyle Menendez Denied Parole
- - Rosie O'Donnell Demands 'Free the Menendez Brothers' After Lyle Menendez Denied Parole
Shaunee FlowersAugust 23, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images
Rosie O'Donnell has long been a supporter of incarcerated brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez.
In fact, during an April interview with the New York Times, O'Donnell revealed that she has formed a surprising friendship with Lyle.
The former talk show host shared that her 1996 interview with Larry King, in which she spoke out in support of the Menendez brothers, telling King that she believed they acted in self-defense, led to this unlikely friendship.
Here we are, nearly 30 years later, and O'Donnell's stance has not changed. Lyle's parole denial was announced on Friday, August 22, just one day after his brother, Erik, was also denied by the same parole board. The following day, O'Donnell shared an Instagram post that said, "Free the Menendez brothers."
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Erik and Lyle Menendez's Parole Denied for the Same Reason
Menendez brothers' supporters were hopeful that Erik and Lyle would be released sooner rather than later after a judge reduced both their sentences in May 2025 from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life. The move made the notorious brothers eligible for parole immediately, as they had already served nearly 30 years in prison for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Erik's denial came first after meeting with the parole board on Thursday at the Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The LA Times reported the reason for the denial was his behavior behind bars, with the commission citing a series of violations that include fights, drug and alcohol use, and his involvement in a tax fraud scheme while behind bars.
Lyle met with the same parole board the following day and was denied for the same reason: failure to follow the rules in prison. Lyle had unauthorized access to a cell phone for years, to the point that he lost the privilege of family visits in 2024, reports NBC Los Angeles.
Per the parole board's decision, the Menendez brothers' parole will be revisited in three years.
Other Celebrities Who Have Shown Support For the Menendez Brothers
O'Donnell isn't alone in her support for Erik and Lyle Menendez. Many other celebrities have spoken out, asking that the brothers be released from prison.
Sunny Hostin has discussed the case and shown her support for the brothers on The View. Kim Kardashian has also been vocal about her support for the release of the Menendez brothers.
"I have spent time with Lyle and Erik; they are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men. In prison, they both have exemplary disciplinary records," Kardashian wrote in a personal essay for NBC Newsin October 2024. “They have earned multiple college degrees, worked as caregivers for elderly incarcerated individuals in hospice, and been mentors in college programs — committed to giving back to others. When I visited the prison three weeks ago, one of the wardens told me he would feel comfortable having them as neighbors."
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This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
