Menendez Brothers’ Family, Rosie O’Donnell To Make Plea For Their Freedom
Nearly two dozen family members of Lyle and Erik Menendez along with comedian Rosie O’Donnell will come together from across the country for a historic gathering on Wednesday in the continued fight for the brothers’ freedom.
The brothers shot their father, José Menendez, and their mother, Kitty Menendez, a total of 14 times during an attack inside their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
Lyle, who was then 21, and Erik, then 18, admitted they shot their Hollywood executive father and mother because they feared their parents were about to kill them to prevent the disclosure of the father’s alleged long-term sexual molestation of Erik.
The Menendez family and lawyers will hold a press conference in front of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday. This follows the recent announcement by the Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón that his office initiated a review of the Menendez brothers’ case.
An Oct. 31, 2016 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Erik Menendez, left, and a Feb. 22, 2018 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Lyle Menendez.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/AP Photo
The District Attorney’s Office told Newsweek they will not attend nor make any announcements at the news conference.
Among the two dozen family members scheduled to speak include: Anamaria Baralt, José’s niece; Joan Andersen VandeMolen, the sister of Kitty; and Brian Andersen Jr., José’s nephew.
In addition to the family members, defense attorney Mark Geragos and co-counsel Cliff Gardner will speak, along with O’Donnell who spoke to Lyle Menendez last year on her podcast.
“In my mind, it [the evidence] clearly is enough,” Geragos told Newsweek. “I think they should be resentenced.”
On February 2, 1996, the jury found both brothers guilty of first-degree murder, sentencing them to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a sentence they have been serving ever since. However, new evidence has emerged potentially helping the brothers.
Attorney Mark Geragos informs the media on developments on the case of brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, both serving life sentences for the murder of their parents in 1989, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Jaimie Ding/AP Photo
Gascón told Newsweek his office is currently reviewing a 1988 letter written by Erik to his cousin Andy Cano about the alleged sexual abuse he endured by his father. The new evidence also includes a statement from a former Menudo member who claims he was also sexually assaulted by José.
“There are people in my office who believe they should never get any relief, and others who believe they should,” Gascón said. “I have now decided we will go through a thorough process of investigating both the new evidence for habeas and whether they have been rehabilitated for resentencing.”
While Gascón has not yet determined an outcome, a hearing is scheduled for November 29. But the district attorney said he has a “complete open mind.”
This follows the release of two Netflix portrayals of the Menendez brothers: Ryan Murphy’s series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and the documentary The Menendez Brothers.
Lyle Menendez, right, and brother Erik listen to a charge of murder conspiracy against them with Leslie Abramson, far left, attorney for Erik, Dec. 29, 1992 in Los Angeles. The brothers pled innocent to the new indictment which dropped the original charge that they killed their parents for money. The indictment was returned nearly three years after Joseph and Kitty Menendez were found slain in their home.
Chris Martinez/AP Photo
The series has drawn backlash for its portrayal of Lyle and Erik, prompting many, including O’Donnell, to voice their concerns.
“It was disappointing, is all I can say, knowing what I know about the case and about them and what they’ve done for 34 years since they’ve been in jail, and what kind of prisoners they are,” O’Donnell said after sharing she had watched Monsters.
“And, you know, I thought it was wildly inaccurate. But everyone’s going to have their own opinion. And, you know, I don’t know why we needed to make it if we’re just gonna continue to blame these children for the abuse they suffered and their reaction to it before their brains were fully formed. Don’t know, but that’s what it feels like to me.”
Presenter Rosie O’Donnell speaks about Madonna at the 30th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the New York Hilton Midtown on Saturday, May 4, 2019, in New York.
Evan Agostini/AP Photo
As she concluded her thoughts via TikTok, O’Donnell offered advice for the brothers regarding the show.
“I just tell them that maybe they shouldn’t watch the whole thing. You know, if you lived it, I don’t know that you need to watch it,” she said.
Other expected attendees at the event include José and Kitty’s nieces and nephews: Natascha Leonardo, Arnold VanderMolen, Kathleen Simonton, Karen Copley, Diane Hernandez, Alicia Barbour, Erik VanderMolen, Sarah Mallas, and Alexander Hernandez, along with Sylvia Bolock, Rebecca Frascone and Tamara Goodell.
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