() California state commissioners may have denied parole to the Menendez brothers this week, but they also gave the convicted murderers a roadmap to succeed for future attempts, says criminal defense lawyer Mark Reichel.

Members of the California Board of Parole rejected parole bids for Erik and Lyle Menendez after citing their numerous infractions behind bars. Both brothers, for example, possessed contraband cell phones a major violation in prison and Erik was also reprimanded for violence and acting inappropriately with visitors.

Parole officials effectively advised each brother to square their real selves with the contrite and reformed characterizations pushed by their supporters.

Menendez brothers ‘told what they can do’ to be paroled: Attorney

“They’ve been showed the bar of what they need to climb over,” Reichel told “ Prime” on Saturday. “They’ve been told what they can do to get out, I think.”

Each sibling won’t be eligible for parole for three years, but could seek to return earlier, in 18 months, through an administrative process.

Reichel, who thought momentum was with the brothers to win release, speculated they will succeed, “maybe two hearings from now.” He said it was a “really close call” as to whether Erik and Lyle Menendez should have been paroled, given that state officials assessed them at a “moderate” risk to reoffend.

The 54-year-old Erik and his 57-year-old brother, Lyle, were convicted of the 1989 shotgun murders of their Beverly Hills parents and have spent 30 years in prison.

Menendez parole opposed by LA prosecutor

Their case has received renewed attention through streaming programs and claims the pair were sexually abused by their father. But Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has opposed their release, saying the brothers have never accepted responsibility for their actions or told the complete truth.