Although their crime was committed in 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez have been in the spotlight recently due to the series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which released on Netflix last month.
At the time they murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18. When the brothers were tried separately in 1994, they claimed they feared their parents were planning to kill them and that the murders were committed in self-defense after years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Both trials ended with hung juries.
It wasn't until the brothers were tried together two years later, and the judge decided that witnesses weren't allowed to discuss the alleged abuse, that they were convicted and sentenced to life without parole. To date, they've spent 35 years behind bars.
Erik Menendez has denounced the series for inaccuracies. Now, Kim Kardashian, who has become an advocate for criminal justice reform, is speaking up for Lyle and Erik. She is calling for their release after visiting the prison where they are being held. In a letter to NBC News, she wrote, "I have spent time with Lyle and Erik; they are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men. In prison, they both have exemplary disciplinary records.
"With their case back in the spotlight—and considering the revelation of a 1988 letter from Erik to his cousin describing the abuse—my hope is that Erik and Lyle Menendez's life sentences are reconsidered.
"We owe it to those little boys who lost their childhoods, who never had a chance to be heard, helped, or saved."
A new documentary titled The Menendez Brothers that revisits the trial, gets the story straight from the brothers, as well as family members who have backed Erik and Lyle, now 53 and 56, for years. The film released October 7, 2024 and is available on Netflix. ~Alexandra Heilbron
It matters what Kim Kardashian wants or thinks ---- WHY??? They pre-meditated the murders of their parents!! Their stories of abuse, assault, sex abuse, etc are their alone and can't be proven. They were ages 18 & 21 --- ADULTS -- who knew very well the difference between right & wrong. They also knew there were several sources of help available to them from authorities but CHOSE the murder route. After so many years in prison they'd have no ability to merge into society successfully, they have prison mentality and prison lifestyle/personalities.
As if Ms Kardashian gives a damn about the Menendez brothers or anyone else on the planet. All this is, is another attempt to keep her plastic face and enormous ass in the spotlight.
Kim Kardashian who is pursuing a law school degree, can see that there were mitigating circumstances around the Menendez brothers murder of their parents which was the sexual, physical and mental abuse endured by both their mother and father. There is a letter which written by Erik, eight months before the murders, to one of his cousins mentioning the pain he was going through from the abuse. There are also claims of sexual abuse from a Menudo band member that he suffered at the hands of Jose Menendez. All of this is new evidence that has surfaced recently and if it was available at the time of the trials it would have lessened the murder offenses to manslaughter. The brothers would have been given much less time in prison. Let's face it, if the brothers were "sisters" and their names were "Erika and Lila" Menedez, the trials would have had completely different outcomes back then.
Well if she wants them release then they probably should. Would someone tell her to please shut up.
I think she's being sweet and trying to help possible victims. What if they were abused, then the parents got what was coming to them. If that's the case, 35 years seems about 35 years too many. I have never given a rat's ass about the kardashians, but this may be a good thing
now year of 2024 they deserve to be out of prison. should be released.
They were adults. They savagely murdered their parents. They were old enough to leave home instead. They made a bad choice. They were properly sentenced. I think Kim Kardashian should move on and find a more worthwhile project.
@marie -----> Sending you the "high five" along with an "Opinion's Blue Ribbon" for saying it best.
although they might have a case for a new trial/sentencing, Kim just wants to keep her name visible to the public, since her breakup with Ye, She could find some other persons that are in need of help, but they would not have the news worthy attention
They will never be able to reintegrate into society as they are brainwashed by the system and dont deserve to be back in society should have just given them the needle and moved on it would have been more humane!
Can we say “publicity stuntâ€. Unless she wants to marry one of them, she don’t really give a damn!
None
I believe they were abused. I believe there sentence is appropriate. They premeditated a very brutal murder (s). They total punished their parents for their wrongs. I see no reason for them to walk. I watched this in the 90s on court tv. To say money was not a factor seems so ignorant. I think it was so obviously at least one factor. They had a plan, yes to eliminate the abuse, I do believe this, to obtain the money, move on and live the high life. Eric obviously had a conscious that slapped him after the gruesome murders haunted him. Then they were caught , yes , oh shit, because of stupidity. They blame the shrink ( his gf) for blowing them in. Getting caught was not in that scenario. I'm sure they are haunted, I'm sure they are where they should be. They weren't 13 yr Olds. They were young adults. They had the balls to kill, but not leave the home and risk being off the will.