Erik Menendez made his case to two parole commissioners, offering his most detailed account in years of how he was raised, why he made the choices he did, and how he transformed in prison. He noted the hearing fell almost exactly 36 years after he killed his parents — on Aug. 20, 1989.

On Friday evening, a board denied parole for Lyle Menendez, the same fate his brother, Erik Menendez, was dealt the day before. While the Menendez brothers had hoped for freedom, others who have closely followed their case seemed to expect their denials.