New hearing for Menendez brothers set amid new evidence

Revisiting a notorious case

A new court hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez has been scheduled for November 29, more than 28 years after their conviction for the murder of their parents. This development comes just two weeks after their story was dramatized in the popular Netflix series Monsters.

Fresh evidence surfaces

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced the new hearing at a press conference, revealing that new evidence has emerged suggesting the brothers were allegedly molested by their father, Jose Menendez.

“We have been given evidence. We have a photocopy of a letter that allegedly was sent by one of the brothers to another family member, discussing being a victim of molestation,” Gascón stated. “Additionally, we have evidence from the defense, including claims from a member of the Menudo band that he was also molested by Jose Menendez.”

Potential implications of the new hearing

The upcoming hearing could lead to a retrial or resentencing for Erik and Lyle. However, Gascón emphasized that no decisions have been made yet.

“None of this information has been confirmed,” he said. “We are not ready to say whether we believe or disbelieve this information. Our moral and ethical obligation is to review the evidence presented and determine if resentencing is warranted. Even though they were convicted murderers, they have been in prison for years and have paid their dues to society. If this new evidence had been presented initially, perhaps the jury might have reached a different conclusion.”

The original trial and convictions

Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills mansion on August 20, 1989. Initially tried separately, both trials ended in mistrials due to deadlocked juries. When tried together, they were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The brothers claimed they committed the murders out of fear for their lives after enduring a lifetime of abuse and alleged sexual abuse by their father.

Appeals and denials

In 1998 and 1999, the California Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of California upheld the Menendez brothers’ convictions and declined to review the case. Their petitions to the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit were also denied. In May 2023, Erik and Lyle requested a new hearing after evidence surfaced that their father allegedly molested singer Roy Rosselló of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo.

The impact of “Monsters”

Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology series Monsters examined Erik and Lyle’s story in its second season, which premiered in late September on Netflix. The show garnered massive popularity, amassing 19.5 million views in its first full week of availability.

However, “Monsters” has sparked controversy over its portrayal of the brothers, particularly by depicting their relationship as homoerotic and incestuous. From prison, Erik released a statement expressing his dismay:

“It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.”

Other Menendez family members have also criticized the series, calling it “grotesque,” “riddled with mistruths,” and a “character assassination.”

Reflecting on the case

The Menendez brothers’ case has long been a subject of public fascination and debate. The new evidence and the upcoming hearing could potentially reshape the narrative that has surrounded them for decades. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public will be watching closely to see if justice will be redefined for Erik and Lyle Menendez.

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