Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Social media is sharing reactions after family members of Erik & Lyle Menendez, also known as the Menendez Brothers, recently called for their release from prison.
According to TMZ, almost two dozen family members of the Menendez brothers traveled to Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, October 16. The family reportedly gathered outside a Los Angeles courthouse to hold a live-streamed press conference.
At the conference, Bryan Freedman, an attorney for the family, noted their belief that Erik and Lyle Menendez should be released from prison. Additionally, CNN reports that the family also posed an alternative option. They reportedly urged authorities to review the new evidence “and hold a new trial or resentence” the brothers.
“If Lyle and Eriks case were heard today, with the understanding we now have about abuse and PTSD, there is no doubt in my mind that their sentencing would have been very different,” Anamaria Baralt, the niece of Erik and Lyle’s deceased father, Jose, told reporters, per CNN.
Furthermore, Jose Menendez’s sister, Terry Baralt, also shared a statement. Terry reportedly asked officials to end their family’s “prolonged suffering.”
“Thirty-five years is such a long time. My prayer is that I live long enough to see my nephews again and to hug them once more,” the statement asserted.
Joan VanderMolen, the sister of the brother’s deceased mother, Kitty Menendez, also shared a statement. VanderMolen asserted that she “had no idea” of the abuse Erik and Lyle allegedly suffered at the hands of their parents. However, she believes “abuse has long-term effects.” And the world “was not ready to hear that boys could be raped” during the brother’s trials in the late 80s, early 90s.
Ultimately, the family expressed their belief that Erik and Lyle Menendez “are no longer a threat to society.”
Check out clips from the press conference by swiping below.
To note, AP News reports that Kitty Menendez’s brother, Milton Andersen, opposed the press conference.
“He believes that there was no molestation that occurred. He believes that the motive was pure greed because they had just learned that they were going to be taken out of [their parent’s] will,” Kathy Cady, his attorney, stated.
Social media reacted to the family’s advocacy for the Menendez brothers in The Shade Room’s comment section.
Instagram user @alexismorris45 wrote, “Free Lyle cause if it wasnt for Erik theyll be free ”
While Instagram user @geescottsr added, “Then you adults are villains for never saying anything then when it was happening”
Instagram user @hollywoodchima wrote, “Free them boys mane”
While Instagram user @cancel_naomi added, “span style="font-size: 14px;">Gypsy Rose can get out and, not them. cut the games”
Instagram user @tia_becca_ wrote, “These MEN unalived their parents when they were 18 & 21 years old! They could have just disassociated themselves from their parents. Estrange parents are a thing”
As The Shade Room previously reported, the Menendez brother’s case recently made headlines earlier this month. At the time, the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascn revealed that his office received new evidence. Furthermore, the evidence appeared to corroborate Erik and Lyle Menendez’s claim of being sexually abused by their parents before they murdered them in 1989.
“Ive been trying to avoid dad. Its still happening Andy, but its worse for me now. I cant explain it I never know when its going to happen, and its driving me crazy. Every night I stay up thinking he might come in. I need to put it out of my mind,” Erik Menendez reportedly wrote in a decades-old letter Gascn’s office received.
The letter prompted Gascn to announce that his office would review the letter and determine if the brothers should be resentenced. To note, they were given life sentences in 1996.
A hearing on the matter has reportedly been scheduled for November 29.
Meanwhile, interest in Erik and Lyle Menendez’s case has grown online. Recently, a TikTok video went viral for resurfaced photos from Erik Menendez’s high school yearbook.
