Menendez brothers’ family pushes for release as prosecutors review new evidence

Erik and Lyle Menendez's family is set to advocate for their release at news conference.

The extended family of Erik and Lyle Menendez is set to advocate for the brothers' release from prison during a news conference on Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles, as prosecutors re-examine new evidence to determine whether their life sentences for killing their parents should be reconsidered.

The event, described as “a powerful show of unity” by more than a dozen family members, including the brothers' aunt, involves relatives traveling from across the country to Los Angeles. This comes less than two weeks after LA County District Attorney George Gascón revealed that his office is reviewing the brothers' case.

Erik Menendez, now 53, and his 56-year-old brother, Lyle Menendez, remain incarcerated in state prison without the possibility of parole, following their conviction for the murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion over 35 years ago.

Lyle, then 21, and Erik, then 18, admitted to fatally shooting their father, entertainment executive Jose Menendez, and their mother, Kitty Menendez, in 1989. They claimed they acted out of fear that their parents were about to kill them to prevent the exposure of the father’s long-term sexual abuse of Erik.

The family's attorney, Bryan Freedman, has previously stated that they strongly support the brothers' release. Comedian Rosie O'Donnell also intends to join the family at Wednesday’s event.

“She wishes nothing more than for them to be released,” Freedman said earlier this month, referring to Joan VanderMolen, Kitty Menendez’s sister and the brothers’ aunt.

Earlier this month, Gascón acknowledged that there is no doubt the brothers committed the 1989 murders, but his office will be reviewing new evidence to determine whether a resentencing is justified in this high-profile case.

According to the brothers' attorneys, the family has always believed that the men should have been charged with manslaughter instead of murder. However, manslaughter was not an option presented to the jury during the second trial that led to their murder conviction, attorney Mark Geragos has previously explained.

The case has gained renewed attention recently due to Netflix streaming the true-crime drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

New evidence includes a letter written by Erik Menendez, which his attorneys claim supports the allegations of sexual abuse by his father. A hearing has been scheduled for November 29.

At the time of the trial, prosecutors argued that there was no evidence of molestation and contended that the brothers were motivated by a desire to inherit their parents' multimillion-dollar estate.