The Menendez brothers, convicted of killing their parents in 1989, are set for a new court hearing after potential evidence has surfaced. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing this fresh information, which could lead to a retrial or resentencing. Nearly 30 years later, their notorious case might finally get another twist.
Back in 1996, Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe murders took place in their Beverly Hills mansion, and the brothers’ defense was a wild cocktail of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse claims against their father.
Initially, the brothers were tried separately because why not complicate things further? But when both juries reached a deadlock, the trials ended in mistrial.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey were eventually tried together, convicted, and shipped off to life behind bars. Case closed, right? Not so fast.
Fast forward nearly three decades, and “new evidence” is surfacing.
Embed from Getty ImagesA photocopy of a letter has surfaced in which one of the brothers allegedly discusses being molested by their father.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón recently dropped this bombshell during a press conference.
“We have been given a photocopy of a letter that allegedly was sent by one of the brothers to another family member talking about him being the victim of molestation,” Gascón said.
Embed from Getty ImagesCasual family correspondence, right? However, none of this has actually been confirmed just yet.
“We are not at this point ready to say that we either believe or do not believe that information,” Gascón continued.
Embed from Getty ImagesYou know, just a casual, non-committal response. But hey, they’re taking the moral high ground and reviewing it. Could this be the turning point for Erik and Lyle?
Another important detail: a former Menudo band member, Roy Rosselló, has come forward, alleging that José Menendez molested him as a teenager in the 1980s.
Embed from Getty ImagesWho knew there would be a boy band thrown into the mix? True crime doesn’t get much more dramatic than this.
Gascón acknowledged that while the brothers are “clearly the murderers,” they’ve spent years in prison and “paid back their dues to society.”
Embed from Getty ImagesSo, there’s a chance this new evidence could change things. A retrial or resentencing might be on the table, but don’t hold your breath just yet.
This case has found new life in the media, thanks to Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeave it to Netflix to bring back public fascination with one of the most infamous family murder cases of the last century.
Thanks, true crime fandom.
The Menendez brothers’ court hearing is set for November 29. Will this new evidence shake things up?
Embed from Getty ImagesWho knows. But after nearly 30 years, it seems Erik and Lyle’s story is still far from over. Stay tuned; this real-life drama isn’t wrapping up anytime soon.
Last Updated on October 7, 2024 by Sarah Kester