Erik Menendez’s Wife Tammi Menendez Slams Parole Hearing

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Tammi Menendez isn’t holding back.

Following the rejection of Erik Menendez’s parole request by the California Board of Parole Hearings, after more than 30 years in prison, his wife responded to this latest development.

According to Tammi’s post on X, it seemed that Parole Commissioner Robert Barton had already decided against granting Erik parole from the beginning. This situation appeared manipulated, as Erik didn’t seem to have a fair chance. The hashtag #Injustice was used to emphasize this sentiment.

Additionally, she highlighted the specific factors that led Barton to reject Erik’s parole application. These reasons encompassed prior disciplinary issues during his incarceration, such as conflicts earlier in his term, and the discovery of prohibited cell phones.

In a different message, Tammi stated that Erik has been free of violations since 2011, except for one instance involving a cell phone.

TopMob News has reached out to Barton for comment and has not yet heard back.

In the wake of the recent news, Lyle Menendez – who, together with his brother, was found guilty of the 1989 murders of their parents, José Menendez and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez – attended a hearing of his own on August 22nd.

Tammi voiced her backing for her brother-in-law, stating, “I hope the right call is made regarding his parole… may it lead to his appropriate release. Everyone understands that he doesn’t pose a threat to society.

After Commissioner Barton stated that Erik, who, together with Lyle, received a sentence of 50 years to life with the possibility of parole in May after a long-term legal dispute, was still deemed a potential threat to public safety by them.

Instead of what his supporters believe, he informed Erik on August 21, as reported by NBC News, “You haven’t exemplified the behavior expected of a model prisoner, and to be honest, we find this somewhat concerning.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Tammi was not alone in expressing her dissent towards the ruling. Although other members of the Menendez family accepted and respected the board’s decision, they too felt a sense of disappointment with the outcome.

The family expressed their statement to the media, stating that their faith in Erik remains unshaken. They are confident he will handle the Board’s advice gracefully. His remorse, development, and the constructive effect he’s had on others are evident. We will continue to support him, holding onto hope for his swift homecoming.

Regarding Lyle’s fate, their family is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

Although it’s certainly challenging, we maintain a cautious optimism and hope that the commissioner will recognize in Lyle what numerous others have: a man who has assumed responsibility, undergone a transformation, and is prepared for a return home.

For a closer look at the Menendez brothers’ personal lives, keep reading.

On July 2, 1996, Lyle Menendez, who was then 28 years old, married Anna Eriksson, a model and salon receptionist. This wedding took place on the same day that Lyle and his brother Erik were sentenced to life imprisonment without the chance of parole, for the 1989 murders they had committed against their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.

In 1993, Anna began penning letters to Lyle during his initial trial, which ended inconclusively. The following year, she relocated to California to be close to him. During the lengthy retrial that started in 1995 and concluded in March 1996, she was a constant support. This is corroborated by the Los Angeles Times.

Despite being unable to take their vows in person, Lyle chose to get married via telephone call. With the groom in custody and the bride consulting with defense attorney Leslie Abramson, they conducted the wedding remotely.

He seemingly hoped to be able to wed Anna in person, once he knew where he’d end up.

Back in September 1996, California Correctional Institution spokesman Lt. Jack Pitko informed the LA Times that there was indeed a marital process ongoing. He added that there was a queue, but saw no reason why the individual couldn’t get married if he adheres to all the regulations.

In 2001, Anna is reported to have initiated a divorce proceeding, following claims that she discovered Lyle was corresponding with other women.

Lyle took his time before marrying Rebecca Sneed, who was around 33 at the time, in November 2003. They had been acquainted for ten years initially through written correspondence and later through personal meetings, as a prison spokesperson revealed to the Associated Press, verifying their wedding.

In Mule Creek State Prison, located not far from Sacramento, is where Lyle had been staying. It was here that he met up with Erik again in 2018 – a meeting which took place at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, situated in southern San Diego County.

In a 2017 interview with People, Lyle mentioned that our conversations are usually undisturbed, and they’re more personal than those of many married couples who get sidetracked by daily life happenings, as Rebecca (who was residing in Sacramento at the time) reportedly visited him weekly.

Lyle mentioned that we usually chat on the phone daily, occasionally multiple times a day. He shared that he has a deeply committed marriage which provides him with consistency, engagement, serenity, and happiness. This stable relationship serves as a balancing force against the unpredictable, high-stress environment he’s in.

He admitted that Rebecca had endured much, but displayed immense courage in overcoming those challenges. Leaving would have been simpler, but I am deeply appreciative that she chooses not to.

Despite the possibility of Lyle and Erik potentially receiving a new sentence and even being released soon, Rebecca has clarified that she and Lyle are no longer together.

Ever since our separation, Lyle and I have maintained our bond as close friends and family. To this day, I’m still managing his Facebook pages, with his input always being considered, and my unwavering dedication to their freedom fight remains as strong as ever, a commitment that has been evident throughout the years.

She expressed, “I’ll keep you informed about the advancements in the case as I firmly believe we share a mutual aim: securing their release. Rest assured, I won’t relent in my efforts for them.

Additionally, since gossip from tabloids persists even beyond the prison walls, it’s important to clarify that this situation is not related to a cheating scandal.

Erik’s spouse, Tammi Menendez (now 62 years old), was married to Chuck Saccoman when she first saw the younger Menendez brother on television in 1993 and felt a unique affection for the 22-year-old suspect who stood accused of murder.

According to what she shared with People later on, she conveyed to her husband that she intended to pen a letter to Erik. And remarkably, Chuck granted his approval for this endeavor.

In simpler terms, Erik said to the publication that upon reading Tammi’s letter, he felt something unique. Out of all the letters he received, this one stood out and he chose to save it. He had a strong feeling about it, so he wrote back to her. The correspondence between them continued, and he found joy in writing to her. Their friendship developed slowly but was significant because it wasn’t connected to the trial or media chaos. Tammi was someone who wasn’t caught up in the madness surrounding the trial.

Initially, Tammi expressed doubts about the brothers’ claim of abuse as detailed in her 2005 book titled “They Said We’d Never Make It: My Life With Erik Menendez“. She also shared with MSNBC that Erik had mentioned having a long-term girlfriend from the start.

In 1996, as Tammi revealed in her book and interviews, she discovered that Chuck had been abusing her daughter, who was a teenager at the time, from a past relationship. They were both parents to an infant girl at that point in time.

Chuck turned himself into police and died by suicide two days later, according to People.

In 2005, she said that after Chuck passed away, she contacted Erik. He provided comfort for her during this difficult time, and their correspondence gradually became more substantial in nature.

Tammi confessed that she felt quite anxious when she personally encountered Erik for the first time at Folsom State Prison in August 1997.

Erik had never seen my face before as all he’d received from me was a tiny 1×1 pixel image. However, when he entered the room, his vibrant energy was palpable as he bounded down the stairs – it felt like I was reuniting with an old acquaintance.

They married in 1999, a Twinkie serving as their wedding cake. 

They have stayed together since then, although Tammi admitted that not having regular visits can be challenging.

In December 2005, on MSNBC, she explained her daily routine as “a greeting kiss upon arrival and a goodbye kiss before departure,” adding that the hand-holding aspect was particularly challenging and often misunderstood by others.

Erik mentioned that he made an effort to avoid contemplating the possibility that his prison term might be permanent.

In 2005, he expressed to People magazine that Tammi is his source of strength. He finds it difficult to contemplate the thought without a heavy heart and an overwhelming sense of dread. The mere contemplation gives him chills. It’s something so frightening that he hasn’t been able to fully accept it yet.

On a brighter side, Tammi had additionally shown him the skills for being a devoted spouse, Erik explained. “In our relationship, there’s no ‘makeup sex,’ just a short fifteen-minute conversation, so it’s crucial to genuinely work on making things succeed.

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2025-08-22 22:17