The convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced to life in prison over three decades ago for the murder of their parents, are set to be reviewed. The brothers were found guilty of shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989, an act that prosecutors claimed was driven by a desire to inherit their father’s wealth.
On Thursday, LA County District Attorney George Gascon stated there is “a moral and an ethical obligation” to examine new evidence submitted by the brothers last year, which asserts they were sexually abused by their father and acted in self-defense.
Interest in the case has surged following the release of a Netflix series in September that dramatizes the events surrounding the murders.
During the initial trial, prosecutors alleged that the brothers’ motivations were rooted in greed, highlighting their extravagant spending habits on items like Rolex watches, cars, and luxury properties before they became suspects. This portrayal during the widely publicized trial contributed to the case’s notoriety in the United States.
The first trial concluded with a hung jury after the brothers introduced allegations of years of abuse. In a subsequent trial, these claims were largely excluded, resulting in their convictions in 1996.
At the time of the murders, Lyle was 21 years old and Erik was 18. The new evidence under consideration includes a letter from Erik to his cousin, dated 1988, which purportedly hints at his father’s abuse.
“None of this information has been confirmed,” Gascon stated during a news conference. He added, “We are not, at this point, ready to say that we either believe or do not believe that information. But we’re here to tell you that we have a moral and an ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us.”
Gascon emphasized that his office is not suggesting any wrongdoing in the original trial. He mentioned that the review could result in resentencing or a new trial, with a hearing scheduled for November 26, as reported by CBS News.
Gascon noted a significant increase in calls to his office following the airing of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix. The show has sparked controversy, with family members claiming the brothers have been “victimized by this grotesque shockadrama.” In defense, series creator Ryan Murphy described the family’s reaction as “predictable at best.”
Additionally, reality TV star Kim Kardashian publicly expressed her support for the brothers, further igniting public interest in their case. “They are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, honest men,” she wrote in an article for NBC News.
