The Los Angeles district attorney has released new evidence in the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez that could lead to a review of their murder sentences.
After their first widely publicized trial ended in a mistrial, a jury convicted the Menendez brothers of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty, after a second trial in 1996, to life in prison.
Although they never denied killing their parents, the brothers claimed they acted in self-defense and were victims of sexual abuse by their father throughout their lives.
During the second trial, prosecutors argued that the “abuse did not happen” and the judge overseeing the case did not allow much of the defense’s abuse evidence to be presented, according to the brothers’ lawyers.
In July 1996, both men were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Now, more than 35 years after the murders, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón has released a screenshot of what appears to be a letter that the brothers’ lawyers have argued corroborates Erik’s claims that he was sexually abused by your father.
On Sunday (13), Gascón shared an image of an undated, handwritten letter in a post on his social media platforms. The letter appears to have been written by Erik Menendez and is addressed to “Andy,” and alludes to abuse.
“I’ve been trying to avoid Dad. This still happens, Andy, but it’s worse for me now,” the letter says. “I never know when it’s going to happen and it’s driving me crazy. Every night I lie awake thinking he might come in.”
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Lawyers for the Menendez brothers included excerpts from what appears to be the same letter in a May 2023 habeas corpus petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the report said. CNN previously.
In the petition, lawyers argue that the letter was written by Erik Menendez to his cousin, Andy Cano, in December 1988 — months before Kitty and Jose were murdered.
If the letter had been introduced into evidence during the 1996 trial, Menendez’s lawyers argue, the jury might have reached a different conclusion.
THE CNN contacted Garcón’s office and the lawyers representing the Menendez brothers to verify the letter shared on social media.
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This content was originally published in Irmãos Menendez: New evidence is released and may lead to a review of sentences on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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