Menendez brothers: Relatives come together to advocate for their release | US News
Relatives of Lyle and Erik Menendez have gathered to demand their release from prison.
A group of up to two dozen extended family members held a news conference in Los Angeles, organized in response to prosecutors reviewing new evidence in the case (source: Sky News).
Erik Menendez, aged 53, and Lyle Menendez, aged 56, are currently serving life sentences without parole for the murders of their parents at their Beverly Hills mansion over 35 years ago.
The story has gained attention recently due to the release of the Netflix series “Monsters” and a documentary about their case (source: Netflix).
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In August 1989, the brothers shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, multiple times at close range. They were aged 18 and 21 at the time.
They admitted the shootings but argue they acted in self-defense after enduring years of abuse. At the news conference, Jose Menendez’s niece Anamaria Baralt announced the formation of Justice for Erik and Lyle, a new coalition of relatives.
She stated: “Both sides of the family are united, sharing a new bond of hope… This is about truth, justice, and healing. Their continued incarceration serves no rehabilitative purpose.”
Anamaria Baralt, niece of Jose Menendez, speaks to reporters. Pic: Reuters
Ms. Baralt asserted that the brothers were victims of a culture that ignored their suffering and called for a comprehensive review of their case by the district attorney’s office. She emphasized the need for healing for both the brothers and the family.
She added: “Lyle and Erik deserve a chance to heal, and our family deserves a chance to heal with them.”
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This news conference marked the largest gathering of the extended family since the brothers’ conviction in 1996. However, their attorneys argue that changing societal views on abuse could impact the outcome of a trial today.
Kitty Menendez’s sister, Joan Andersen VanderMolen, expressed surprise at the extent of abuse the brothers endured and highlighted the long-lasting impact of trauma.
Joseph Lyle Menéndez and Erik Galen Menéndez. Pics: Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility
However, not all family members agree with the push for the brothers’ release. Kitty Menendez’s brother, Milton Andersen, maintains that life in prison without parole is the appropriate punishment, citing greed as the motive for the murders.
His lawyer stated: “He believes that there was no molestation that occurred. He believes that the motive was pure greed, because they had just learned that they were going to be taken out of the will.”
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In response to the new evidence review, district attorney George Gascon acknowledged the brothers’ guilt but expressed readiness to consider a resentencing based on the new information.
The defense argues the brothers should have been charged with manslaughter instead of murder, given the circumstances of their case.
The prosecution’s stance is that the murders were financially motivated, with no evidence of abuse, and intended for their inheritance. The new evidence includes a letter from Erik Menendez corroborating his claims of abuse by his father.
A hearing is scheduled for 29 November.
