Erik and Lyle Menendez's household made a tearful plea Wednesday for their flexibility, firmly insisting the locked up siblings safeguarded themselves “the only method they understood how” when they blasted their moms and dads to death in 1989.
Almost 2 lots member of the family made a program of unity at an interview ahead of L.A. district attorneys' awaited suggestion next month on whether to re-sentence the bros, who have actually lagged bars for almost 35 years.
“The reality is, Lyle and Erik were stopped working by the very individuals who need to have secured them– by their moms and dads, by the system and by society at big,” stated Joan VanderMolen, sibling of the siblings' mom, Kitty Menendez, beyond L.A. Country criminal court house.
A variety of the loved ones in participation, who originated from both sides of their household, ended up being psychological as they checked out declarations promoting for the bros' flexibility. They were signed up with by the comic Rosie O'Donnell, who has actually ended up being a friend of the Menendezes– “a huge sibling,” she has actually stated– and an outspoken supporter for their release.
Their speeches focused on the claim that the killings were an action to sexual assault versus the bros at the hands of their daddy, José Menendez– the defense they argued unsuccessfully at their 1996 trial, which led to life sentences without parole for both.
Over 20 extended member of the family, from both sides, went to journalism conference in assistance of Erik and Lyle Menendez.
“When I consider the discomfort and suffering they withstood, it breaks my heart to understand that the system failed them so exceptionally,” stated Brian Andersen Jr., Kitty's nephew. “They attempted to safeguard themselves the only method they understood how.”
“They are not the bad guys they were represented as,” he included.
“What occurred is awful, however I forgive my cousins,” stated Karen VanderMolen, Kitty's niece. “I have actually forgiven them permanently, since I understand they were acting out of worry and desperation. These were kids.”
Right away after the conference, the member of the family consulted with the district lawyer's workplace to officially reveal their desire for the siblings' release.
Joan VanderMolen informed Vanity Fair that the member of the family were welcomed to the presser by Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, who revealed on Oct. 3 that he is thinking about brand-new proof in the bros' case.
Lyle and Erik Menendez throughout their trial.
Ted Soqui/Sygma by means of Getty
Gascón was not in presence and his workplace stated that a choice has actually not yet been reached, NBC News reported.
“A choice concerning the Menendez case has actually not been made. When DA Gascón has actually decided, the member of the family of the victims and the general public will be informed,” a declaration from the district lawyer stated.
The bros' legal group has actually argued that the 2 brand-new pieces of proof they sent for factor to consider in a May 2023 filing support the not successful defense the bros used throughout their 1996 trial– that the ruthless killing was an act of self-defense after years of sexual assault at the hands of their dad.
