The Menendez brothers might be facing a resentencing in light of new evidence, according to authorities.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering their parents with shotguns in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
The pair shot father José five times, before reloading and finishing off their mother, Kitty, who was in agony on the ground.
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Just 18 and 20 at the time, their case has now become the topic of conversation 35 years later following the release of Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
The series takes a look at events from different perspectives that the public may not have done before, to a lot a of controversy.
Though both have been in prison for over 30 years, the Menendez brothers have slammed the series for being inaccurate and accused the show's creator, Ryan Murphy, of doing it out of ill-intent.
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Despite this, viewers seem convinced that the brothers may not deserve the sentence they were given, as hundreds of thousands have signed a petition to release them from prison.
The actors from the series, as well as Kim Kardashian, have even gone as far to visit the brothers in prison and form relationships with them, proclaiming their innocence.
And it seems like they might get their wish, after news broke earlier this week about the 30+ year old case.
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On Thursday (3 October), the District Attorney for Los Angeles announced that his office will review new evidence of alleged molestation in the case of the Menendez brothers, which could lead to a resentencing.
District Attorney George Gascon said: “We’re not at this point ready to say we believe or do not believe that information. But we’re here to tell you that we have a moral and ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us and make a determination."
This follows the petition that the brothers signed last year after the Peacock docuseries Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed included allegations that their father sexually assaulted a former underage member of their band.
Roy Rossello said he was just 13 when José, when working as a music executive, drugged and raped him.
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One of the journalists behind the series, Nery Ynclan, told the Los Angeles Times Thursday: “This new evidence is indisputable. After 35 years, it’s past due to show these victims of incest the mercy they deserve.”
Erik and Lyle think that this new evidence backs their claims that their parents sexually abused from a young age.
Testifying to this was prohibited during their joint trial, and though they could mention it in their separate trials beforehand, these ended in hung juries.
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The pair claimed that their actions were an act of self-defence as they thought their parents would kill them if they reported any of the abuse to authorities.
Topics: Menendez Brothers, Netflix, Crime, True Crime
Joshua Nair