Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
The Los Angeles district attorney has recommended Erik and Lyle Menendez be resentenced by a judge.
It comes after the release of the latest Monsters Netflix true crime documentary earlier this year raised awareness of the Menendez brothers‘ case and ‘new evidence’ which emerged.
The pair were found guilty in the 1989 murders of their parents Kitty and Jose Menendez and both sentenced to life in prison, however, potential new evidence brought to light allegedly supports the allegations of abuse the brothers say they suffered at the hands of their parents and it’s resulted in calls for their sentencing to be reconsidered.
Erik, 53, and Lyle, 56, are currently serving life in prison without possibility of parole in California after being convicted of first-degree murder in 1996.
New evidence could see Menendez brothers released
Last year, a letter came to light written by Erik in December 1988. Addressed to his cousin, the letter detailed the alleged abuse Erik experienced at the hands of his father.
The letter reads: “I’ve been trying to avoid dad. It’s still happening Andy but it’s worse for me now. I never know when it’s going to happen and its driving me crazy. Every night I stay up thinking he might come in.”
The Menendez brothers filed a motion in May 2023 with the new evidence, requesting their convictions be overruled.
The Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison (Ronald L. Soble / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
During a press conference yesterday (October 24), Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón said: “This is a case where we’ve had many people in this office spend a great deal of time reviewing this case.
“I do believe the brother was subjected to a tremendous amount of dysfunction in the home and molestation.”
He subsequently recommended the pair be resentenced by a judge and released on parole.
While not condoning the murders, Gascón resolved: “I believe they have paid their debt to society.”
Even if approved by a judge and the brothers’ release approved by a parole board, California Governor Gavin Newsom could still reject it.
Gascón also turned his attention more widely to all victims of abuse, urging victims to ‘come for help’ whether they are ‘a man or woman’ and whether they’re ‘prepared to prosecute or not’.
New evidence in the Menendez brothers’ case came to light last year (Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)
He urged: “You do not have so suffer alone. Help is here unconditionally.”
Gascón’s office also released a statement reflecting on the societal shifts and changes to attitude towards cases of men being sexually abused since the 1990s when the Menendez brothers allege it occurred.
“Our office has developed a more modern understanding of sexual violence since the Menendez brothers first faced prosecution. Today, our office acknowledges that sexual violence is a pervasive issue affecting countless individuals – of all gender identities – and we are committed to supporting all victims as they navigate the profound impacts of such trauma.”
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
