The case of two brothers who have been convicted of killing their dad and mom of their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989 has been thrust again into the highlight because of a Netflix drama telling their story.
Lyle Menendez, 56, and his 53-year-old brother Erik are serving life in jail with out parole for the shotgun murders of their father and mom – Jose and Kitty Menendez.
However weeks after the discharge of a Netflix drama in regards to the brothers referred to as Monsters and a brand new documentary, their household has referred to as for his or her launch.
However what’s the case for the brothers’ freedom? Is there new proof, and may they get out?
What the household says
The Menendez brothers, who have been have been 21 and 18 on the time their dad and mom died, admitted capturing them earlier than they have been discovered responsible of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to homicide in 1996.
However they declare they killed their mom and father in self-defence after enduring bodily, emotional and sexual abuse over a few years.
Jose Menendez’s niece Anamaria Baralt spoke on their behalf, telling reporters: “Either side of the household are united, sharing a brand new bond of hope.
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Anamaria Baralt speaks on the household’s information convention. Pic: Reuters
“This is about truth, justice and healing… Their continued incarceration serves no rehabilitative purpose.”
Ms Baralt stated the brothers have been victims of a “culture that was not ready to listen”, as she referred to as on the district legal professional’s workplace to “take into account the full picture”.
Joan Andersen VanderMolen, Kitty Menendez’s sister, additionally informed reporters: “I had no idea the extent of the abuse they suffered at the hands of my brother-in-law. None of us did.
“We all know that abuse has lengthy results, and victims of trauma typically act in methods which are very obscure.”
Family not entirely united
Kitty Menendez’s brother, Milton Andersen, 90, has said “the suitable sentence” for the pair was life in prison without parole.
His lawyer said: “He believes that there was no molestation that occurred. He believes that the motive was pure greed, as a result of that they had simply realized that they have been going to be taken out of the need.”
An previous defence with new proof
The Menendez brothers have maintained their dad and mom abused them since they have been first charged with the murders.
Prosecutors on the time contended there was no proof of any molestation. They stated the brothers have been after their dad and mom’ multimillion-dollar property.
The jury of their first trial in 1993 was deadlocked earlier than the jury of their second trial discovered them responsible, rejecting a dying sentence in favour of life with out parole.
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Lyle Menendez confers with brother Erik throughout trial in 1991. Pic: AP
However their legal professionals argue that due to society’s altering views on sexual abuse, the brothers might not have been convicted of first-degree homicide and sentenced to life with out parole at this time.
They are saying they need to have been charged with manslaughter reasonably than homicide, however this was not an choice for the jury throughout the second trial.
The brothers’ defence group additionally say they’ve uncovered a letter that Erik Menendez had written to his cousin that was dated months earlier than the murders, through which he talked about what he stated was abuse from his father and being afraid of him.
LA district legal professional George Gascon briefly shared the letter to his Instagram web page earlier than deleting the submit.
Within the handwritten letter, Erik wrote: “I’ve been trying to avoid dad… every night, I stay up thinking he might come in.”
He additionally stated he was “afraid” and that he wanted to “put it out of my mind” and “stop thinking about it”.
Roy Rossello, a former member of the band Menudo, additionally spoke out within the Peacock documentary collection Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, alleging he was additionally raped by Jose Menendez.
Is there an actual likelihood brothers could possibly be freed?
Sure, as a result of prosecutors in Los Angeles are presently reviewing the brothers’ convictions, with a court docket listening to scheduled for 26 November.
The brothers’ legal professionals have requested them to take a look at whether or not the pair have been rehabilitated, based mostly on their behaviour in jail.
If the court docket guidelines they’ve, the brothers could possibly be launched, or have their sentence decreased.
The legal professionals have additionally submitted the letter Erik wrote to his cousin as new proof, saying it was not seen by the jury when the brothers have been sentenced in 1996 and will have influenced their determination.
If the court docket guidelines of their favour on this level however not on their rehabilitation, it might result in a retrial.
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Joseph Lyle Menéndez and Erik Galen Menéndez. Pics: Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
He additionally stated greater than 300 folks had been resentenced throughout his time period as district legal professional and that solely 4 had gone on to reoffend.
Have the brothers reacted to the assessment?
Erik’s spouse Tammi Menendez has commented on his behalf on social media, writing on X: “We truly value the support we’ve received following the District Attorney’s statement. We hold onto hope that this November will bring the resolution we have all been wishing for. We would deeply appreciate your ongoing prayers as we await their official response.”
