Should Sex Abuse Evidence set the Menendez Brothers Free? A Judge will Decide
Source: https://www.npr.org/
A judge will decide on Monday whether new evidence justifies re-examining the convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills. The brothers were convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. During their trial, they claimed to have been sexually abused by their father, but prosecutors argued they killed their parents for financial gain. Despite several unsuccessful appeals over the years, the case is now being reconsidered due to the new evidence.
At ages 53 and 56, Erik and Lyle Menendez are seeking freedom by filing a habeas corpus petition in May 2023, requesting the court review new evidence of their father’s sexual abuse. The petition argues that this evidence supports their original defense. The recent releases of the Netflix drama Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and the 2024 documentary The Menendez Brothers have sparked renewed public interest in their case. As a result, the public will have the chance to attend the court hearings virtually.
New evidence has emerged to support Erik and Lyle Menendez’s claims of sexual abuse by their father. This includes a 1988 letter from Erik to his uncle, revealing details of the abuse, which had not been introduced at trial. Additionally, Roy Rossello, a former Menudo member, came forward with allegations that Jose Menendez sexually abused him in the 1980s, providing a signed statement. This evidence challenges the prosecution’s claims that there was no corroboration of the abuse. While clemency could be a potential route for the brothers’ freedom, California Governor Gavin Newsom has stated that he will wait for a review of the case by incoming Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman before making a decision.
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