Since the release of Netflix‘s ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story‘, people and celebrities have recognized the injustice of their sentence. Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty of first-degree murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez. However, the brothers claimed that their actions were in self-defense from their father’s emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
Unfortunately, society was not aware and forthcoming to acknowledge male sexual abuse. Moreover, the brothers were not allowed to bring forward evidence of their sexual abuse to the jury. However, as the jury and prosecutors have become more open to male sexual abuse, family and friends of the Menendez brothers have gathered to plead for their release.
Menendez Brothers’ Family Urges People To Sign A Petition For Their Release
On October 16, the Menendez brothers’ family and friends held a press conference outside a Los Angeles courthouse. Together they advocated for the “Justice for Erik and Lyle” movement. The family announced an online portal where people can sign the petition for the brothers’ release.
Anna Maria Baralt, Jose Menendez’s niece, said, “If they were the Menendez sisters, they would not be in custody. We have evolved.” Even prosecutors have acknowledged the reception of male sexual assault victims was very different than what it is today.
Therefore, the brother’s family is pleading for a re-sentencing that will reduce the years of imprisonment or even let them walk free. Erik and Lyle Menendez were apprehended in 1990 to life imprisonment without parole.
Joan Anderson VanderMolen, Kitty Menendez’s sister of 92 years spoke in her nephews’ defense.“They were just children, brutalized in the most horrific ways.” She continued, “The whole world wasn’t ready to believe that the boys could be raped, or that young men could be victims of sexual violence.”
However, Joan argued that people have become more aware of male sexual assault. She said, “A jury today would never deliver such a harsh sentence.”
Not All Relatives Want Lyle And Erik To Be Free
Although many family members and friends have gathered to support the Menendez brothers, not all relatives want to see them walk free. Milton Anderson, Kitty Menendez’s brother, believes the brothers should not receive a reduced sentence. His attorney, Kathy Cady stated, “The Menendez brothers’ cold-blooded actions shattered their family and left a trail of grief that has persisted for decades.”
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She continued, “Jose was shot six times, and Kitty was shot ten times, including a shot to her face after Erik reloaded.” Kathy, representing Mr. Anderson, stated that the Menendez brothers should serve their sentence for their “heinous acts”. Whether the court will accept the family’s plea remains to be known.
