After 28 years in prison, new evidence regarding the Menedez brothers, Erik and Lyle, could lead to their release in the near future.
The Menedez brothers were sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of killing their parents back in 1989, yet new evidence has arisen explaining the true motive behind the murder. According to AP News, “Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said during a news conference that there is no question Erik Menendez, 53, and his 56-year-old brother, Lyle Menendez, committed the murders, but his office will be reviewing new evidence and will make a decision on whether a resentencing is warranted in the notorious case that captured national attention.” The district attorney’s office and lawyers are deciding whether the evidence is relevant enough to change the brothers’ sentences.
The new evidence that has come into play is a letter that was written by Erik, one of the brothers in jail, that mentions possibly being sexually abused by his father. Additionally, at the time of the murder, the brothers feared that they were going to be killed due to the father’s sexual molestation of son Erik. The brothers stand by their motive saying that it was an act of self defense after suffering from a lifetime of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. At the time of the prosecution, there was no evidence of molestation. It is now up in the hands of the prosecution to determine if this letter is proof which could give the brothers a chance for a new sentence.
Because of this new evidence, the brother’s attorneys are arguing that they should not be charged with first degree murder, and sentenced to life without parole. Originally, the attorneys believed that the brothers should have been charged with manslaughter instead of murder which would have led to a lesser sentence. During the second trial, manslaughter was not an option that the jury could decide on, therefore, ultimately resulting in the murder conviction of the brothers. Since today’s society treats physical and sexual abuse very differently then it did back then, the new evidence might give direct proof that there should be a resentencing for the brothers.
Despite them being in prison for almost 30 years, their name has resurfaced, hitting many headlines, and their story being made into a TV show and a documentary. Additionally, people are speaking out about it, specifically reality TV star and celebrity, Kim Kardashian. She mentioned that “their suffering and stories of abuse ridiculed in skits on ‘Saturday Night Live’ that they were painted as ‘two arrogant, rich kids from Beverly Hills who killed their parents out of greed.’ There was no room for empathy, let alone sympathy” (AP News).
A hearing has been scheduled for November 29, 2024, to see if the brothers deserve a resentencing or possibly a release.