San Diego, CA

A look inside the San Diego prison where the Menendez brothers are serving time

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2024

A look inside the San Diego prison where the Menendez brothers are serving time

The Menendez brothers are currently housed at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in Otay Mesa. NBC 7 was there on Thursday afternoon to take a look at life inside for the convicted killers.

After their conviction, Lyle and Erik Menendez reunited in 2018 at the San Diego prison. They live in the same building — not in the same cell but in the same cell block.

Staffers tell NBC 7 they spend a lot of free time together. They lunch together, and if a judge agrees to this recommendation, they’ll walk out of there together.

After more than three decades behind bars, Erik Menendez is now 53, and his older brother Lyle is 56.

They reside in an area of the prison known as Echo Yard. Inmates earn the right to be in there through cooperative rehabilitation and good behavior. Video provided to NBC 7 by the prison shows the 1,000-foot mural that both Menendez brothers helped paint in 2020. Other Echo Yard offerings include raising and training service dogs, learning money management, yoga and art classes.

In June of 2024, NBC 7 cameras were rolling for the first that 24 inmates in the unit earned their college degrees. Lyle Menendez was among them. His degree is in sociology.

That is life inside.

NBC 7 asked former probation officer, Cameran Gary, who is also a retired San Diego County District Attorney investigator, what life outside might be like.

“They won’t just be able to go anywhere at any time. They would have to get permission. They just can’t get on a plane and fly to Nebraska,“ Gary said.

Erik Menendez, now 53, and Lyle Menendez, now 56, are behind bars at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego for the killings of Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez.

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is recommending resentencing and the Menendez brothers’ immediate release, time served. The process will not exactly be that fast.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shared with NBC 7 a three-page document which outlines all the steps that must be followed and conditions that must be met for resentencing and release.

In part of a statement, CDCR spokesperson Pedro Calderon told NBC 7: “If a court resentences a defendant, it issues a new abstract of judgment (AOJ) to CDCR. In all cases, CDCR is committed to processing the AOJ as quickly as possible while complying with legal mandates.”

Gary says, ultimately, the judge’s decision comes down to this question.

“Are we, as a society, willing to accept this type of offender? Are we willing to look at this type of person and say OK we believe they paid their debt to society? Are we willing to accept them back in and give them another chance?“ Gary said.

While they await the judge’s decision, there will be some changes to the Menendez brothers’ routine at the prison. Officials won’t say what that might be, but a spokesperson says that information could be released in the coming days.

Gascón intends to submit his resentencing recommendation to the court on Friday.

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

10 minutes ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

12 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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