Family and friends of Lyle and Erik Menendez have made a public appeal for the release of the infamous brothers, who have spent over thirty years in prison for the fatal shooting of their affluent parents in their Beverly Hills residence.
The Menendez brothers’ case became one of the most high-profile criminal trials in recent history following their arrest for the 1989 murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez.
On Wednesday, supporters, including family members, friends, and an attorney, convened in front of a Los Angeles courthouse to advocate for the brothers’ release. They argued that Lyle and Erik endured severe sexual abuse by their father and no longer pose a threat to society.
However, not all relatives support their release. An attorney representing their uncle asserted that the “cold-blooded” brothers deserve to remain incarcerated.
This debate emerges as the Los Angeles district attorney reviews new evidence regarding the alleged abuse, which could potentially lead to a retrial or a reduced sentence.
“If they were the Menendez sisters, they would not be in custody,” stated Anna Maria Baralt, Jose Menendez’s niece, during the crowded press conference. “We have evolved.”
Ms. Baralt highlighted how male victims of sexual assault were perceived and treated by society and the justice system three decades ago, a point acknowledged by prosecutors.
During their 1993 trial, the brothers admitted to using shotguns to kill their parents but claimed it was in self-defense after enduring years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse by their father.
Prosecutors contended that the brothers meticulously planned their parents’ murder to inherit their multimillion-dollar estate while the couple was watching TV.
The case resulted in a retrial after the initial jury deadlocked.
In the 1995 retrial, much of the evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded. The jury found both brothers guilty of first-degree murder, sentencing them to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Renewed public interest in the case has surged following the release of a Netflix series in September depicting the events, coupled with new potential evidence—a letter allegedly sent by Erik to a family member detailing sexual abuse by his father.
Kitty Menendez’s sister, Joan Anderson VanderMolen, was assisted to the podium by family members on Wednesday afternoon to address the media and supporters. At 92, she described her nephews’ actions as “tragic.”
“They were just children” who were “brutalized in the most horrific ways,” she said.
Reflecting on their trial, she argued, “the whole world wasn’t ready to believe that the boys could be raped, or that young men could be victims of sexual violence.”
Today, she believes, “we know better” and that “a jury today would never deliver such a harsh sentence.”
Conversely, a lawyer for Kitty Menendez’s brother, Milton Andersen, stated, “The Menendez brothers’ cold-blooded actions shattered their family and left a trail of grief that has persisted for decades.”
He detailed the brutality of the crime, noting that “Jose was shot six times, and Kitty was shot ten times, including a shot to her face after Erik reloaded.”
Mr. Andersen’s lawyer, Kathy Cady, insisted that the brothers should remain in prison for their “heinous act.”
Earlier this month, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón held a news conference to announce his office’s re-examination of the case, considering the possibilities of resentencing or a retrial. Findings and decisions are expected to be disclosed at a hearing in late November.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Mr. Gascón’s office emphasized their commitment to a thorough and fair process, exploring every possible avenue to ensure justice is served.
The family has urged Mr. Gascón to recommend resentencing the brothers, a move that could potentially lead to their release if approved by a judge.
