The convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were jailed more than three decades ago for the murder of their parents in the US, are set to be reviewed.The brothers shot Jose and Kitty Menendez at their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989, in what prosecutors said was a plot to inherit their father’s fortune.On Thursday, LA County district attorney George Gascon said there was “a moral and an ethical obligation” to review evidence submitted by the brothers last year, which claimed they were sexually abused by their father and acted in self-defence.There has been renewed public interest in the murders since a Netflix series depicting the events was released in September.
During the original trial, prosecutors said the killings were motivated by greed, and evidence the brothers spent much of their large inheritance on Rolex watches, cars and luxury property prior to becoming suspects made the case notorious in the US.That original trial ended with a hung jury after the Menendez brothers submitted allegations of abuse spanning several years.At a second trial, the abuse claims were largely withheld. The brothers were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996.New evidence now being considered includes a 1988 letter from Erik Menendez to his cousin, which reportedly appears to reference his father’s abuse.
“None of this information has been confirmed,” Gascon – the most senior prosecutor in LA Country – told a news conference.He continued: “We are not, at this point, ready to say that we either believe or do not believe that information.”But we’re here to tell you that we have a moral and an ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us.”He added that his team was “not saying there was anything wrong with the original trial”.