Relatives of Erik and Lyle Menendez made pleas for their release from prison during an Oct. 16 press conference at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Justice Center in Los Angeles. The brothers are currently serving
life sentences for the 1989 murder of their parents Mary Louise (“Kitty”) and Jose Menendez at the family home on Elm Drive in Beverly Hills. Earlier this month, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that his office is reviewing the case to determine if a new trial or resentencing is in order. Gascón said he is “not leaning in any direction right now” and is “keeping an open mind.”
The brothers have admitted to the killings, but contend they were victims of repeated sexual assaults by their father and lived in fear for their lives. They were tried twice, with jurors in the first trial unable to reach verdicts, deadlocking between first-degree murder and lesser charges including manslaughter. The second trial, which began in October 1995 and lacked much of the testimony centered on allegations of sexual abuse, ended with first-degree murder and conspiracy convictions of both brothers. The two have repeatedly appealed their convictions unsuccessfully.
