Authorities review new evidence in Menendez brothers murders

Reuters

<div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Los Angeles authorities are reviewing new evidence that could lead to the release or a new trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the Beverly Hills brothers convicted of killing their parents three decades ago, the local district attorney said on Thursday. </span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The brothers are serving life in prison without parole for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents. Jose Menendez was shot in the back of the head and Kitty Menendez was shot 15 times. At the time of the murder Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18.</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">At a televised trial that captivated the United States in 1996, the brothers claimed they had been sexually abused by both parents for years and were acting in self defense. Prosecutors argued the pair were seeking their parents&#x27; multi-million dollar fortune.</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon said on Thursday his office would review what he called new evidence that the brothers were molested, including a letter Erik Menendez allegedly wrote eight months before the murders in which he described abuse.</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Investigators also are examining allegations from a member of the 1980s pop band Menudo that he was abused by Jose Menendez, who was a music executive. Those allegations were publicized last year in Peacock documentary series called &quot;Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed.&quot;</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">A recent Netflix series, &quot;Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story&quot; has revived interest in the case.</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The new review could lead to various outcomes, Gascon said. The brothers could be immediately freed or given a new sentence or a fresh trial. Gascon said he had an open mind about the case.</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;We are not, at this point, ready to say that we either believe or do not believe that information,&quot; Gascon said at a news conference. &quot;But we&#x27;re here to tell you that we have a moral and ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us.&quot;</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Menendez brothers last year petitioned to have their sentence vacated.</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">On Thursday, their attorney, Mark Geragos, praised Gascon for what he called &quot;a bold step.&quot;</span><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;It may not be a popular decision in prosecutorial circles, but I would think that in our culture we’ve come a long way in the last 10 years, maybe 15 years,&quot; Geragos told reporters. &quot;I think we’re at a point now where any reasonable person taking a look at this case believes they should be out.&quot;</span></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>(Production: Jane Ross)</strong></span></div>

<p>Los Angeles authorities are reviewing new evidence that could lead to the release or a new trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the Beverly Hills brothers convicted of killing their parents three decades ago. </p>

Los Angeles authorities are reviewing new evidence that could lead to the release or a new trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the Beverly Hills brothers convicted of killing their parents three decades ago.

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Authorities review new evidence in Menendez brothers murders

Authorities review new evidence in Menendez brothers murders

Reuters

Published Oct 04, 2024 08:56 AM PHT

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