Family Divided Over Potential Release of Menendez Brothers
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Calling them victims rather than villains, relative after relative pleaded for the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving life behind bars for the 1989 killings of their parents in Beverly Hills.
A news conference Wednesday in Los Angeles was the largest gathering of the multigenerational family since the brothers’ sentencing.
However, not every family member agrees with the push for the brothers’ release. Kathy Cady is a victims’ rights attorney representing Milton Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez.
“Mr. Andersen firmly believes that his nephews were not molested,” Cady told Eyewitness News. “He believes that is a fabrication and that their motive was pure greed.”
Lyle Menendez, who was then 21, and Erik Menendez, then 18, admitted to fatally shooting their entertainment executive father, Jose Menendez, and their mother, Kitty Menendez. They contended that they feared their parents were about to kill them to prevent the disclosure of the father’s long-term sexual abuse of Erik.
At the time, prosecutors asserted that there was no evidence of molestation, and many details of the brothers’ claims of sexual abuse were excluded from the trial that led to their conviction. They argued that the sons were primarily after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.
Cady noted that Andersen, now 90 years old, wants the brothers to remain in prison and serve their life sentences, particularly for the crime against his younger sister.
“At the time of the trial, according to the court of appeal opinion, one of the brothers claimed that killing her was – quote – a mercy killing,” Cady stated.
The latest attempt to release the brothers comes after their attorney submitted new evidence he claims supports their allegations of sexual abuse by their father.
However, Cady argues that this evidence was filed over a year ago, and suggests that District Attorney George Gascón is leveraging the case for political gain as he approaches election season.
“Mr. Andersen just wants to ensure that whatever decision is made is not politically driven, but rather made for the right reasons,” Cady said.
Cady also claims that, contrary to California law, Andersen has been sidelined by the DA’s office and denied a voice in the fate of his sister’s killers.
Gascón’s office has declined to comment on Andersen’s exclusion from the process.
“Mr. Andersen understands that he won’t be the one to make the final decision, but he wants to ensure that the person who does doesn’t forget about him,” Cady expressed.
Andersen’s attorney has sent a letter to Gascón, seeking a meeting with the DA before any decision is made, but they have yet to receive a response.
What are your thoughts on the potential release of the Menendez brothers? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Plain Text Version
Family Divided Over Potential Release of Menendez Brothers
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Calling them victims rather than villains, relative after relative pleaded for the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving life behind bars for the 1989 killings of their parents in Beverly Hills.
A news conference Wednesday in Los Angeles was the largest gathering of the multigenerational family since the brothers’ sentencing.
However, not every family member agrees with the push for the brothers’ release. Kathy Cady is a victims’ rights attorney representing Milton Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez.
“Mr. Andersen firmly believes that his nephews were not molested,” Cady told Eyewitness News. “He believes that is a fabrication and that their motive was pure greed.”
Lyle Menendez, who was then 21, and Erik Menendez, then 18, admitted to fatally shooting their entertainment executive father, Jose Menendez, and their mother, Kitty Menendez. They contended that they feared their parents were about to kill them to prevent the disclosure of the father’s long-term sexual abuse of Erik.
At the time, prosecutors asserted that there was no evidence of molestation, and many details of the brothers’ claims of sexual abuse were excluded from the trial that led to their conviction. They argued that the sons were primarily after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.
Cady noted that Andersen, now 90 years old, wants the brothers to remain in prison and serve their life sentences, particularly for the crime against his younger sister.
“At the time of the trial, according to the court of appeal opinion, one of the brothers claimed that killing her was – quote – a mercy killing,” Cady stated.
The latest attempt to release the brothers comes after their attorney submitted new evidence he claims supports their allegations of sexual abuse by their father.
However, Cady argues that this evidence was filed over a year ago, and suggests that District Attorney George Gascón is leveraging the case for political gain as he approaches election season.
“Mr. Andersen just wants to ensure that whatever decision is made is not politically driven, but rather made for the right reasons,” Cady said.
Cady also claims that, contrary to California law, Andersen has been sidelined by the DA’s office and denied a voice in the fate of his sister’s killers.
Gascón’s office has declined to comment on Andersen’s exclusion from the process.
“Mr. Andersen understands that he won’t be the one to make the final decision, but he wants to ensure that the person who does doesn’t forget about him,” Cady expressed.
Andersen’s attorney has sent a letter to Gascón, seeking a meeting with the DA before any decision is made, but they have yet to receive a response.
What are your thoughts on the potential release of the Menendez brothers? Join the conversation in the comments below!