Los Angeles County District Attorney Reviews Menendez Brothers’ Case, Potentially Leading to Freedom

The Los Angeles County district attorney, George Gascón, has announced a review of the infamous Menendez brothers’ case, potentially offering them a chance at freedom. Erik and Lyle Menendez, who gained notoriety in the 1990s for killing their parents in their Beverly Hills home, have long claimed that they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse from their father, Jose Menendez.

Gascón’s office is examining new evidence related to the brothers’ allegations of sexual abuse, which were presented during their first trial but largely withheld during their second trial, resulting in their conviction and life sentences. The review comes as Erik and Lyle Menendez petition the court to vacate their 1996 conviction, citing evidence from the Peacock docuseries, “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed,” and a recently discovered letter written by Erik, suggesting ongoing sexual abuse by their father.

The potential outcomes of the review include the brothers’ release, a retrial, or a resentencing to a lesser prison term. A hearing is scheduled for November 26, and Gascón aims to bring finality to the case by then. However, it remains uncertain if his review will be concluded in time.

Gascón’s announcement coincides with the renewed interest in the Menendez murders following the release of the Netflix drama series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” The series, which has garnered over 19 million views worldwide, has sparked controversy due to its insinuation of an incestuous relationship between the brothers, a claim they vehemently deny. Gascón maintains that his decision to review the case is unrelated to the Netflix series.

The Menendez case continues to captivate the public, with a new documentary, “The Menendez Brothers,” set to be released on October 7 on Netflix. The documentary will feature interviews with the brothers, further fueling public interest in the case.