LA Considering Cutting Life Sentences for Menendez Brothers
Last Updated on October 18, 2024
After pop culture pushback, the gruesome 1989 killing of Jose and Kitty Menendez may receive some modern “justice” with the possibility of both murderous brothers being released after more than 30 years behind bars.
CNN reported that the Los Angeles County district attorney will consider new evidence that will seemingly aid brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez. The outlet also noted that nearly two dozen relatives will speak at the Wednesday news conference.
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which premiered September 19 on Netflix, highlighted the murders as a travesty built upon prior sex abuse by Jose Menendez. Later, on October 7, Netflix dropped “The Menendez Brothers,” a crime documentary that included interviews from Lyle and Erik Menendez.
Since the plethora of releases telling a “truther” story almost as redemption, people have responded with petitions for what they believe is justice.
According to CNN, attorneys for the two brothers with populace support, including Rosie O’Donnell and Kim Kardashian, argue that the judge overseeing the 1996 case limited the defense’s evidence of Jose Menendez’s alleged abuse from the jury. This undermined the foundation of the Menendez brothers case, relying on the abuse allegations.
In 2023, the attorneys filed a petition arguing for relief from the brothers’ full prison sentence in light of the new claims of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Jose Menendez, which included a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin hinting at the abuse.
News outlets anticipate that Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, a Democrat, will consider re-sentencing based on the 2023 petition. In a Wednesday interview with ABC, he remarked that the letter “is all about the abuse which was the cornerstone of their defense.” Later, he told ABC his office would decide on the sentence this month.
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Gascón has resentenced 300 people this year, said former Los Angeles County prosecutor Loni Coombs. On Tuesday, he told CNN’s Jim Acosta that the new evidence would have never been considered or given attention if it weren’t for the Netflix miniseries and documentary.