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The Menendez brothers face the potential for freedom after serving greater than 30 years in jail, with their case being reviewed for potential resentencing by the Los Angeles County District Lawyer following the emergence of great new proof.
On Aug. 20, 1989, Lyle Menendez, then 21, and Erik Menendez, then 18, gunned down their dad and mom of their Beverly Hills mansion. Jose Menendez was a rich 45-year-old leisure govt, whereas 47-year-old Kitty Menendez was a homemaker.
The brothers have been sentenced to life in jail after being convicted at their second retrial, following mistrials within the first trial.
VIDEO: Menendez brothers’ new proof ‘strengthens’ case: Authorized skilled
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“It was from the bounce, one of many greatest circumstances in Los Angeles and within the nation; nobody may imagine that these two younger males had killed their dad and mom this fashion,” ABC’s Terry Moran, who coated the trial, advised “Impression X Nightline.”
The truth that they killed their dad and mom 36 years in the past was at all times clear. Nevertheless, the rationale they did it has at all times divided and captivated the nation.
Throughout their preliminary trial, protection lawyer Leslie Abramson contended that Lyle and Erik shot their dad and mom in self-defense. She argued that the brothers feared their dad and mom would kill them in the event that they disclosed the years of alleged molestation that they had suffered at their father’s fingers.
The primary trial led to a mistrial on Jan. 13, 1994, attributable to a deadlocked jury. After a second trial, the brothers have been discovered responsible of first-degree homicide in 1996 and acquired two consecutive life jail phrases with out the potential for parole.
A recent authorized submitting has been submitted with much more distressing particulars of Jose Menendez’s alleged abuse.
Based on the brothers’ attorneys, Erik Menendez penned a letter describing his father’s alleged abuse to his cousin.
Erik Menendez and his brother Lyle Menendez in Los Angeles throughout their trial on March 9, 1994.
Ted Soqui/Sygma by way of Getty Pictures, FILE
One other alleged sufferer of their father, a former member of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, additionally spoke out in 2023 Peacock documentary “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed.” Roy Rosselló alleged that he was abused by José Menendez when he was 14.
The Menendez brothers have seemingly gone from public enemies to victims as a robust motion builds on-line to set the brothers free.
Their story is now underneath a contemporary lens, casting a brand new perspective on an alleged trauma that was barely understood on the time — that males may be victims of sexual abuse. Some folks say this reexamination challenges long-held beliefs and prompts folks to rethink their understanding of this advanced problem.
“I’ve at all times thought that if the Menendez brothers have been the Menendez sisters, they’d be free right this moment, would have been convicted,” Moran stated. “However an abuse sufferer typically will get some sort of clemency.”
Jail reform advocate Kim Kardashian known as for his or her launch.
‘We’re all merchandise of our experiences,” Kardashian wrote in a private essay concerning the brothers. “Time modifications us, and I doubt anybody would declare to be the identical individual they have been at 18.”
Actor Rosie O’Donnell has befriended the brothers.
“They weren’t horrible youngsters,” O’Donnell advised “Impression X Nightline.” “They have been severely, sadistically tortured by a pedophile predator father, and a really compliant and likewise concerned mom, who had little interest in them.”
Within the ’90s, Dr. William Vicary, a former psychiatrist, was a key witness for the protection within the case after protection lawyer Leslie Abramson employed him to judge Erik Menendez. Vicary later acquired probation of his medical license for admitting to altering notes from these conferences.
“Within the ’80s and ’90s, the general public had little or no data about this kind of sexual abuse, particularly fathers abusing their very own sons,” Vicary advised “Impression X Nightline.” “Again then, there have been many individuals that simply dismissed this outright.”
Others like Alan Abrahamson, who coated the trial for the LA Instances, nonetheless imagine the brothers killed their dad and mom for cash and that the jury acquired it proper, given their lavish spending spree within the aftermath of the killings.
“The dad and mom have been sitting within the den watching TV,” Abrahamson advised “Impression X Nightline.” “Did they’ve any weapons? No.”
Los Angeles County District Lawyer George Gascón introduced earlier this month that he was reviewing new proof within the case in opposition to the brothers.
Some relations stated the Menendez brothers ought to have been charged with manslaughter as a substitute of homicide. A bunch of kinfolk, together with Kitty Menendez’s sister, agree.
The relations held a information convention in LA on Wednesday, hoping it might affect the enchantment of their sentencing. The courtroom has scheduled one listening to for November 2024.
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