Menendez Brothers’ Murder Case: Recent Developments
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has announced that his office will review new evidence in the Menendez brothers’ murder case. The brothers, Erik and Lyle Menendez, were convicted of killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. The new evidence includes allegations of sexual abuse by their father, which the brothers have long claimed justified their actions as self-defense.
The investigation is sparked by a Peacock docuseries, “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed,” which raised allegations that Jose Menendez sexually assaulted a former member of the 1980s pop band Menudo. This new information has led to a petition by the brothers for a writ of habeas corpus, seeking to vacate their 1996 convictions.
A hearing is scheduled for November 29 to evaluate the new evidence and determine if the case warrants resentencing or a new trial. The brothers have been serving life sentences in the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
The case has garnered significant media attention over the years, with recent interest renewed by an eight-part Netflix true crime drama, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” The show has sparked controversy, with Tammi Menendez, Erik’s wife, calling it a “dishonest portrayal” of the events.
