Menendez Brothers Demand New Trial After Shocking New Evidence
Menendez Brothers Demand New Trial After Shocking New Evidence.
The Menendez brothers, who were found guilty of killing their parents back in 1989, are asking for a new trial because some new evidence has come to light, which has resulted in a status hearing.
Last year, the brothers submitted a habeas corpus petition to look into two pieces of evidence that they hadn’t had access to before. The hearing happened on Sunday, and the brothers joined in through a video call while two of their aunts took the stand.
Judge Michael Jesic was in charge of the proceedings and permitted testimony from Joan VanderMolen, their mom's sister, and Terry Baralt, their dad's sister. Their defense lawyer, Mark Geragos, referred to the aunts’ testimonies as “heartfelt pleas to the judge to bring the brothers back home,” describing it as a “moving experience.”
“No child should have to endure what Eric and Lyle had at the hands of their father,” VanderMolen said. “It breaks my heart that Kitty knew and did nothing about it. They never knew if tonight was the night they would be raped. No child should have to live day by day knowing that at night their dad would come and rape them. It is unconscionable,” VanderMolen testified
VanderMolen recognized that their uncle, Milton Andersen, is against their release.
The Hearing Has Been Rescheduled
The next court date for Lyle and Erik Menendez has been pushed to January to talk about resentencing. Judge Jesic mentioned he wants to give the newly elected Los Angeles District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, some time to go through the 17 boxes of case files.
Hochman said, “This rescheduling will provide me with sufficient time to review the extensive prison records, transcripts of two lengthy trials, and voluminous exhibits, as well as consult with prosecutors, law enforcement, defense counsel, and victim family members. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all the facts and the law to reach a fair and just decision and then defend it in court,”
The habeas corpus petition focuses on two fresh pieces of evidence. The first involves a claim from a former member of the Latin boy band Menudo, who has accused Jose Menendez, the father of the brothers, of sexual abuse.
One more piece of evidence is a letter that Erik Menendez sent to his cousin about eight months prior to the murders, where he talked about the supposed abuse from their dad. Even though the cousin testified for them, this letter didn’t come to light during the initial trials; it was discovered a few years later.
They are hoping that the brothers will be released by the end of January 2025.
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The petition is pushing for a new sentencing, which might lead to the brothers getting released. Last month, former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón suggested that their life sentences without the chance of parole be adjusted to 50 years to life for murder. If this new sentence goes through, they could be eligible for immediate parole since they were both under 26 when the crimes happened.
But right after Gascón made his announcement, he lost the election to Hochman, who has stated that he intends to look over the evidence before making any decisions about resentencing.
The Menendez brothers have asked California Governor Gavin Newsom for clemency. Newsom mentioned that he’ll wait for the district attorney to review the case before making any decisions.
Back in 1989, Lyle, who was 21, and Erik, 18, killed their parents, Jose and Kitty, in their Beverly Hills home. Their defense claimed it was self-defense due to years of sexual abuse, while the prosecution argued that they were motivated by financial gain.
The first trial ended in mistrials, but in 1996, after a lot of the abuse evidence was left out, the brothers were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Menendez brothers' request for a new trial is based on compelling new evidence that was not presented during their original trials. Fresh testimonies, including heartbreaking accounts from their aunts, highlight the years of abuse they endured at the hands of their father.
Additionally, new evidence, such as a letter Erik wrote to his cousin about the abuse and accusations from a former Menudo band member, supports their claims of trauma and self-defense. Given the emerging facts and the brothers’ age at the time of the crime, many argue they deserve a resentencing and a chance for parole.
