After the controversial Netflix crime drama about Eric and Lyle Menendez, Los Angeles prosecutors say they are considering new evidence of sexual abuse brought forward by the brothers’ lawyers. .
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon spoke at a press conference Thursday about the ongoing investigation into the 1989 double murder.
“We know this is an area that has received tremendous national attention, especially since the Netflix documentary came out,” Gascón said of the case. “We’re getting a lot of calls.”
Gascón said the Menendez brothers’ lawyers asked authorities not only to consider the new evidence, but also to reconsider their crimes based on their level of rehabilitation and overall behavior in prison. He said he filed a motion to do so.
Prosecutors are upholding the 1996 conviction and the outcome of the first trial because Gascon said the brothers were the “obvious killers” of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. What prosecutors are reviewing and determining based on the new evidence is whether the findings would lead to a “different conclusion” for a jury, the DA’s office said.
“I think there is no question in this case that the young men, one of whom was 19 years old and the other 21 years old at the time, murdered their parents,” Gascón said.
Cliff Gardner, the brothers’ attorney, told USA TODAY in an email Friday that the 35 years his client has been in custody is “enough.”
“I believe that anyone who fairly considers the extraordinary evidence excluded from the trial court and the new evidence presented in the habeas petition would conclude without a shadow of a doubt that the brothers were sexually abused.” I believe that,” Gardner wrote. “And given today’s understanding of the effects that sexual abuse has on children, both boys and girls, I believe this evidence shows that manslaughter rather than murder is the appropriate sentence. Masu.”
What new evidence exists in the Menendez brothers case?
New evidence Gascón and his office will consider includes a copy of a letter one of the brothers allegedly sent to another family member about being a victim of sexual abuse.
Gascon said prosecutors had also been presented with evidence from one of the brothers’ lawyers alleging that the brothers were sexually abused by their father, adding that none of the defense’s claims had been confirmed. Prosecutors did not say which brother claimed to have been sexually abused.
“At this time, we cannot say whether we believe or disbelieve that information,” the DA’s office said. “But we have a moral and ethical obligation to consider what is presented and make a decision, so we are here to tell you.”
If the brothers lose their temper, Eric Menendez, 53, and Lyle Menendez, 56, who have already served 35 years for killing their parents, could be “released” from prison, Gascón said. he said. Other possibilities include a reduced sentence for the brothers or a new trial, the DA added.
Both brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996.
A hearing on the new evidence is scheduled for Nov. 29, Gascón said.
“Some men are victims.”
Los Angeles prosecutors decided to review new evidence to further recognize that “both men and women can be victims of sexual assault,” Gascon said.
According to the DA’s office, “most victims are usually young women, but men have also been victimized.”
Gascón also cited more than 100 allegations against hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, including accusations of sexual assault against boys and men.
“Time and time again, we have seen both boys and girls being sexually abused,” the DA’s office said.
“Appeal to the Menendez Brothers” Change.org petition
A Change.org petition titled “An Appeal to the Menendez Brothers” has more than 365,000 signatures asking for a new trial, reduced sentences, or other fair relief for Eric and Lyle Menendez. The purpose is to seek.
“The Menendez trial is a very famous and controversial case, but unfortunately it’s also a very understandable and important case from the perspective of someone who himself was sexually abused as a child.” petition organizer Mikayla Beechman wrote on the Change.org page.
“The first trial contained information, evidence and testimony that led to a miscarriage of justice, which I strongly believe to be true. The second trial ignored the statistics of child sexual abuse and The lack of humanity removed that defense evidence and rendered all the information given useless” in the final prosecution. ”
The petition’s goal is 500,000 signatures, according to its Change.org page.
“Even if you’re not familiar with their case, look into it if you’re interested. And at least understand that everyone is entitled to a second chance at life. In their situation, this is their first real shot at life in freedom, and it’s not just from prison, it’s coming from their inner fears, the burdens of their past, and their regrets in the present.” wrote Beechman. “Since the change of judge was done for a reason, why not retry the case with a new bill?
Kim Kardashian and others support Menendez brothers’ release
In addition to Beechman and the thousands of others who have signed the petition, Kim Kardashian also called for her brother’s release in a personal essay shared exclusively with NBC News.
“We are all products of our experiences. Experiences shape who we were, who we are, and who we will become. Time changes us, both physiologically and psychologically. And no one will ever claim to be the same person they were when they were 18,” wrote the Skims founder and billionaire beauty mogul. “Twenty-four family members, including their parents and siblings, have issued statements of full support for Lyle and Eric.”
Kardashian recently visited the prison where the Menendez brothers are being held, along with Cooper Koch, who plays Eric in the second season of the Netflix miniseries “Monsters,” starring Ryan Murphy, Variety reported on Sept. 21. Reported.
“Can anyone honestly deny that the justice system would have treated the Menendez sisters more leniently?” Kardashian said, adding that at the time, “there were virtually no systems in place to support survivors, “The public’s awareness of the trauma of sexual abuse was low.” Minimal, but often clouded by preconceptions and homophobia. ”
Contributor: Jay Stahl, USA TODAY