Los Angeles authorities are reviewing new evidence that could lead to the release or a new trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the Beverly Hills brothers convicted of killing their parents three decades ago.
The Menendez brothers are one step closer to freedom after Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon recommended they be resentenced for killing their parents.
The brothers have never denied killing their parents, but have long claimed they were driven to do so after suffering years of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of their businessman father. Relatives of victim Kitty Menendez spoke amongst themselves ahead of the DA's announcement on Thursday. Pictured: Arnold VanderMolen whispering in the ear of Kitty's sister, Joan VanderMolen, 92
Gascon had the opportunity to recommend the charges be reduced to manslaughter, but he opted against that because 'these were clearly murders.' Kitty Hernanedez' niece Diane held her hands together at her face and closed her eyes ahead of the announcement He is seeking re-election on a platform of sentencing reform, and is currently trailing his opponent, former US Assistant Attorney General Nathan Hochman.
Gascón recently said his office was scrutinizing evidence that was not permitted in their trial, but insisted he was not committed either way. Mark Geragos, defense attorney of Erik and Lyle Menendez, appeared in high spirits ahead of the official announcement After killing their parents in August of 1989, they made a frantic call to police claiming they returned home to find their parents had been slaughtered, prompting fears within one of America's wealthiest communities that a murderer was on the run.They said he was motivated by greed. The brothers stood to inherit $14million from their parents, and set about spending it shortly after their parents' deaths.
Erik and Lyle, now aged 53 and 56, claimed they acted in self-defense. They said they were lifelong victims of sexual abuse at their hands of their father. Kitty's sister Joan Andersen VanderMolen said: 'Their actions, while tragic, were the desperate response of two boys trying to survive the unspeakable cruelty of their father.'
Andersen believes the initial sentence - life in prison without parole - was a fair and just outcome for the crimes committed against his sister and her husband.
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