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A California court official has turned down a request for a retrial for the Menendez siblings, asserting that allegations of sexual abuse did not supersede their planning and deliberation when they murdered their mother and father over 35 years in the past.

Latest Decision and Judicial Background

The recent decision by Los Angeles superior court Judge William C Ryan arrives just a short time after the siblings were denied early release and shuts another possible route to freedom for the two, who have served nearly 30 years behind bars.

The brothers were sentenced in 1996 for fatally shooting their parent, José Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. They were 18 and 21 at the time.

While defense attorneys argued the siblings acted in self protection after years of abuse, the state said the pair killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

Parole Proceedings and Judge's Rationale

The court official stated that new evidence that slightly corroborates 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 produced a reasonable doubt in the mind of at least one juror," the court wrote.

The brothers' attorney, a legal representative for the siblings, did not right away comment on the decision.

Recent Release Outcomes

A board of two commissioners on 22 August rejected the older brother parole for a three-year period after a lengthy hearing. The panel observed that the defendant still displayed anti-social personality traits like dishonesty, downplaying, and rule-breaking.

Erik Menendez, who is incarcerated at the same prison in Southern California, was likewise refused early release a day before, after commissioners concluded that his misbehavior in prison made him a risk to society.

Brothers' Statements and Backing

During his testimony, Erik Menendez provided his most detailed account in years of how he was raised and why he made the choices he did.

"I didn't grow up with a ethical grounding," he said. "I was taught to lie, to cheat, to steal figuratively."

In the past years, support from public figures and greater awareness of the brothers as survivors of abuse has contributed to amass a large number of advocates who have called for their release.

The former Los Angeles district attorney initially paved the door to potential freedom for the defendants by asking a court to lessen their sentences.

After their sentencing, the inmates have obtained an degree, taken part in rehabilitative classes, and started various support groups for other inmates.

Final Thoughts

The court's decision to ultimately reject the new trial request came after months of pushback from present legal authorities.