Brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, whose conviction for killing their dad and mom got here after one of many bloodiest trials of the Nineties, are re-examining their case in gentle of latest proof, prosecutors stated.
Nearly two dozen relations of the brothers and their protection legal professional will maintain a information convention Oct. 16 outdoors the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, the household introduced Monday.
Mark Geragos, the brothers’ protection legal professional, advised Los Angeles station KNBC on Tuesday that the 2 felt “cautiously optimistic” that new proof would have a constructive affect on their case.
The household’s press convention comes after Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón introduced Oct. 3 that his workplace will evaluation what he says is new proof that the brothers have been sexually abused by their father. The two have been convicted of killing Jose and Kitty Menendez in 1989 on the household’s Beverly Hills mansion.
Several nieces and nephews of Kitty and Jose Menendez might be in attendance on the press convention in Los Angeles on October 16.
The prosecutor’s evaluation opens the door to a attainable reevaluation of the brothers’ jail sentences, in addition to the chance that they could possibly be retried and even launched.
The newest growth comes because the brothers’ story is the topic of success Netflix series “Monsters: the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez,” which introduced a renewed highlight to their story.
The brothers’ name to vacate their convictions can be gaining momentum, with leisure figures reminiscent of Kim Kardashian and tv mogul Ryan Murphy supporting their launch from jail or speculating that it’ll occur within the coming months.
Here’s what to know in regards to the newest replace within the case.
Will the Menendez brothers be given life in jail?
In a press convention on October 3, Gascón stated prosecutors have the discretion to find out whether or not inmates will be given new sentences after reviewing new proof of their circumstances.
He added that incarcerated folks might doubtlessly “go away relying on what the court docket decides,” suggesting there’s a risk the Menendez brothers could possibly be freed after reviewing their case.
“I’m holding an open thoughts,” he stated. “We have folks within the workplace who’re this matter very fastidiously, very skilled attorneys who’re this matter.”
Lyle Menendez, 56, and Erik Menendez, 53, have each been serving life sentences with out parole since they have been convicted in 1996.
“Until we get so far, we cannot be certain what course it should go in,” Gascón stated.
What new proof are prosecutors inspecting?
A duplicate of a letter purportedly despatched by Erik Menendez in 1988 and an affidavit from a former member of the Eighties boy band Menudo accusing Jose Menendez of rape are among the many potential new proof, in keeping with Gascón.
Former Menudo member Roy Rosselló can be alleged Peacock documentary “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed” who was harassed by Jose Menendez when Menendez was head of RCA Records.
In their first trial in 1993, the brothers stated they killed their dad and mom as a result of their father had sexually abused them for years. Prosecutors countered that they’d shot and killed their dad and mom so they may inherit their substantial fortune.
After the televised proceedings resulted in a mistrial resulting from hung juries, the 2 have been convicted in a second trial.
The brothers continued to insist that they’d been sexually abused by their father. According to Gascón, they included attainable proof in a writ of habeas corpus filed by the jail final 12 months asking the court docket to overturn their conviction.
Why is the case of the Menendez brothers getting a lot consideration now?
The case returned to the highlight after the discharge of the collection “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” on Netflix.
Gascón stated on the information convention that the choice to have a look at new proof within the case was not associated to the Netflix present, in keeping with the Los Angeles Times.
Actor Cooper Koch, who performs Erik Menendez on the present, said TODAY on September 26, he was capable of meet Menendez in individual together with different inmates on the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility outdoors San Diego. The assembly was organized by Kim Kardashian.
“I simply needed to inform him that I imagine him, and I did every thing I might in my energy as an actor to play him as precisely and authentically as attainable,” Koch stated of Erik Menendez.
However, the Menendez household does Called the Netflix show “grotesque” and a “serial episodic nightmare” within the brothers’ portrayal. Erik Menendez’s spouse he called it a “dishonest representation”..”
In an interview with People, “Monsters” responded producer Ryan Murphy calling the household’s response “false indignation” and saying the present is “the most effective factor to occur to the Menendez brothers in 30 years” as a result of it introduced a renewed highlight to their case.
Murphy has additionally change into a stunning advocate for the brothers’ launch.
“We gave them their second within the court docket of public opinion. Basically, we gave them a platform,” Murphy stated Variety on October 3. “I feel they are going to have the ability to get out of jail by Christmas. I actually imagine that.”
Kardashian has additionally change into a pressure pushing for his or her launch. The actuality star and style mogul, who has change into an advocate for felony justice reform lately, wrote a essay for NBC News on Oct. 3 saying it is time to launch the Menendez brothers.
“I hung out with Lyle and Erik; they don’t seem to be monsters. They are type, clever, trustworthy males,” he wrote.
Kardashian additionally famous that on the time of the trials within the Nineties the view of sexual abuse victims, notably boys, was typically “clouded by preconceived judgments and homophobia”, and help techniques and sources for survivors have been scarce .
Although Kardashian wrote that the murders are “not excusable,” she doesn’t imagine that “spending their whole pure lives in jail was the correct punishment for this complicated case.”
What is the following step within the case?
The listening to is scheduled for Nov. 26, however Gascón didn’t present a timeline for a way lengthy it would take to evaluation the brand new proof.
“We usually are not prepared at this level to say that we imagine or don’t imagine this info,” Gascón stated within the information convention. “But we’re right here to let you know that we have now a ethical and moral obligation to evaluation what’s introduced to us and decide.”
Cliff Gardner, an legal professional for the Menendez brothers, expressed optimism in regards to the growth.
“Obviously they’re watching it carefully, which is nice,” he advised the Los Angeles Times. “I’m inspired by that as a result of I feel anybody who takes a take a look at that proof will stroll away with the information that these children have been molested as youngsters.”
This article was initially printed on TODAY.com
