Menendez brothers murder case: Prosecutors review new evidence – as Kim Kardashian calls for their release | US News

Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing new evidence that could lead to the release or a new trial in the case of two brothers who were convicted of killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion.

Lyle Menendez, 56, and his 53-year-old brother Erik are serving life in prison without parole for the 1989 shotgun murders.

Their father and mother – Jose and Kitty Menendez – were shot several times at close range. Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 at the time.

Joseph Lyle Menéndez and Erik Galen Menéndez. Pics: Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
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Lyle and Erik Menendez. Pics: Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility

The Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon confirmed on Thursday the brothers will get a court hearing in November after his office received new evidence which allegedly corroborates claims Erik Menendez was sexually abused by his father, who was a music executive.

The brothers have said they killed their parents in self-defence after enduring a lifetime of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from them.

Their lawyers argue because of society’s changing views on sexual abuse, the brothers may not have been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole today.

Prosecutors at the time contended there was no evidence of any molestation. They said the brothers were after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.

The case has been in the spotlight in recent weeks after a Netflix dramatisation of their story – which has drawn accusations of “dishonesty” from Erik Menendez – is currently number one in the streamer’s viewing chart.

(L to R) Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Chloë Sevigny as Kitty Menendez, Javier Bardem as Jose Menendez and Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez. Pic: Netflix
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(L to R) Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Chloë Sevigny as Kitty Menendez, Javier Bardem as Jose Menendez and Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez. Pic: Netflix

Cooper Koch, the actor who plays Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, told Sky News he “stands with” and “supports” the brothers in their call for a new trial.

He said: “I totally stand with them, and I support them, and I can only hope that the justice system makes the right decision.”

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