Progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced that his office would be reviewing new evidence regarding the possibility that Erik and Lyle Menendez were molested. This review could result in their sentences being re-evaluated in a case that has received a significant amount of media coverage, even more than 30 years after they killed their parents. Gascon emphasized that no determination has been made regarding the new evidence and that his office has a moral and ethical obligation to review the information presented to them before making a decision.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of shooting their parents, Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez, to death in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. After a mistrial, the brothers were convicted in a second trial and ordered in 1996 to serve life in prison. Both have been seeking reduced sentences and are currently being held in the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The case garnered significant attention due to the family’s wealth and the nature of the crime. The brothers claimed they killed their parents in self-defense after suffering repeated sexual abuse from their father, which they have appealed against multiple times.
New evidence presented to Gascon’s office includes a letter in which one of the brothers discusses being a victim of molestation. Defense lawyers have also claimed that a member of the popular 1980s Puerto Rican boy band Menudo was sexually assaulted by Jose Menendez. Prosecutors argued that the brothers were motivated by greed to commit the murders and pointed to their extravagant spending after the killings as evidence. However, defense attorneys asserted that the brothers acted in self-defense due to abuse from their parents. The recent release of a Netflix true crime drama on the case has sparked renewed interest in the story.
The Menendez brothers filed a writ of habeas corpus a year ago, seeking to vacate their 1996 conviction. Citing allegations made in the “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed” docuseries, they claimed that sexual abuse by their father supported their claims of self-defense. Gascon expressed his belief that the case would have been treated with more sensitivity regarding sexual assault if it had occurred today. His office will review the new evidence presented and determine whether the case should be considered for re-sentencing. A hearing was scheduled for Nov. 29 to further discuss the matter.
Gascon, who is seeking re-election following two failed recall attempts, highlighted his track record of re-sentencing over 300 people during his term, with only four of them going on to commit another crime. The Menendez case has drawn attention not only for the heinous crime committed but also for the new evidence suggesting potential sexual abuse as a motive, which has raised questions about the fairness of the brothers’ original convictions. Gascon emphasized the importance of thoroughly reviewing all information provided before making any decisions that could impact the outcome of the case.
