The family of Lyle and Erik Menendez said they were injured and disappointed after the public prosecutor in Los Angeles denied the murderer a new trial – while praising their relationship with the left -wing former public prosecutor who insisted on the release of the brothers last year.
Family members said that Da Nathan Hochman lacked the understanding and sympathy that his predecessor George Gascón had for the alleged sexual abuse that the murderous duo experienced before they shot their rich parents in their Beverly Hillshuis more than 30 years ago.
“The relationship is absolutely different. Gascón today seemed much more open to modern thinking processes of the law and what compassion looks like and what the trauma -inspired practice looks like, “said Tamara Goodell, the cousin of the brothers, during a webinar Thursday afternoon.
‘Very honestly, which we recently heard of the Lada office felt very contemptuous. It felt like a continuation of the story from 1989 and very honest, it was very frustrating. “
Hochman announced his recommendation on February 21 that the La County Superior Court refuses the brothers’ request for new proof because of new proof that the couple had molested by their father – a request that Gascón was supported in the light of the new findings in October.
The couple was convicted of killing their parents, José Menendez, a rich music producer, and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, execution style in August 1989.
They were convicted of life without conditional release after two highly published processes that Erik and Lyle – who were then 21 and 18 respectively – made known names.
The murderous couple asked for a new trial after the discovery of a bomb letter that Erik wrote in 1988 by describing the abuse he suffered by his father, in addition to a claim from a member of the band Menudo that José had also molested him.
But Hochman argued that affirmative evidence was too weak to justify a new trial.
Anna Maria Baralt, the niece of José, said she was not surprised by the newly chosen decision of the public prosecutor, but called his rhetoric harmful to other victims of sexual abuse.
“The danger to present that story from the nineties under today’s law laws and modern concept of trauma is that it ignores how far we have come to recognize the long-term effects of abuse and the systemic barriers that keep victims silent,” she said.
“Today we understand that trauma orders the brain again and forms the actions and decisions of a person in ways that were not fully appreciated decades ago.”
Despite their frustration, Erik encouraged his loved ones to stay focused and strong, his family said – Advies that last less than a week later when California Gov. Govin Newsom The State Parole Board ordered a “risk assessment” of the brothers.
The Menendez family said that she was craving breath with lighting when hearing the “great” news on Wednesday, and added that they are sure that the conditional council will determine that the brothers are not a risk for public safety and free them.
“We are incredibly grateful that Gov. Newsom pays attention to this case,” said Baralt.
“This, for our family, is a huge sigh of relief that someone in a chair of power pays attention to what we have seen up close since Erik and Lyle have been locked up.”
The brothers have also asked the court for resentment, a grace of the governor and qualify for conditional release based on proof of rehabilitation and good behavior behind bars.
The murders had largely fallen from the spotlights to the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” from the 2024, led to a new public interest in their business.
