LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Relatives of Eric and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving life sentences for murdering their parents in Beverly Hills in 1989, have appealed for their release, calling them victims rather than villains.
Wednesday’s press conference in Los Angeles was the largest multigenerational family gathering since the brothers’ sentencing.
However, not all family members believe the brothers should be released. Kathy Cady is a victims’ rights attorney representing Kitty Menendez’s brother, Milton Andersen.
“Mr. Andersen firmly believes that his nephews were not sexually abused,” Kady told Eyewitness News. “He believes it was a hoax and the motive was pure greed.”
Lyle Menendez, 21 at the time, and Eric Menendez, 18 at the time, admitted to shooting and killing their entertainment executive father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez, but their parents prevented them from doing so. They said they feared that the suspects were trying to kill them in order to do so. The revelation of long-term sexual abuse of Eric by his father.
Prosecutors at the time argued there was no evidence of sexual abuse and that many of the details of the abuse were not admitted in the trial that led to the conviction. The district attorney’s office later announced that the sons were after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.
Cady said Andersen, now 90, wants his brothers to at least stay in prison and serve life sentences for their sister’s murder.
“At the time of the trial, at least in the opinion of the Court of Appeals, one of the brothers said her killing was — quote — a mercy killing,” Cady said.
The latest move towards the brothers’ release comes after their lawyers submitted new evidence that they claim will help prove sexual abuse by their father.
But Cady said the lawsuit was filed more than a year ago, and District Attorney George Gascón is now using it to drum up political support as the election approaches. .
“Mr. Andersen just wants to make sure that whatever decisions are made, they are really made for the right reasons and not politically driven,” Cady said.
Cady also said Andersen was ignored by the prosecutor’s office and denied input into the fate of his sister’s killer, contrary to California law.
Gascon’s office declined to comment on Andersen’s non-involvement.
“Mr. Andersen understands that he doesn’t have the final say, but he wants to make sure that whoever makes the final decision remembers him,” Cady said.
Andersen’s attorney said he sent a letter to Gascón asking him to meet with the DA’s office before a decision is made. They haven’t heard a reply.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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