A California prosecutor said on Thursday that he will review sexual abuse allegations involving the Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for killing their parents in 1989
The Los Angeles Times reported that evidence of Erik and Lyle Menendez’s father molesting them was presented at their first trial — which ended with a hung jury — but this evidence was not as prominent during the second trial which resulted in their convictions. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said he has no doubt the pair committed the murders, but the review could result in a resentencing hearing.
“We’re not at this point ready to say we believe or do not believe that information,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “But we’re here to tell you that we have a moral and ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us and make a determination.”
Erik and Lyle Menendez purchased two shotguns with cash and used them to kill their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home. Investigators originally suspected the mafia was behind the slayings. However, a break in the case occurred in 1990 when Erik Menendez, then 18, confessed to a therapist.
The molestation allegations are receiving renewed attention due to Ryan Murphy’s Netflix show, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” Variety reported that Murphy is considering extending the season as a court hearing regarding the case is scheduled for November 29.
“I think what I would be interested in doing, if Nicholas [Alexander Chavez] and Cooper [Koch] would agree to do it, is maybe one or two episodes that continue the story,” Murphy told Variety.
While the defense argued the slayings were the result of sexual abuse, prosecutors claimed the brothers wanted access to their inheritance. However, KTLA reported that Roy Rosello, an ex-member of the boy band Menudo, came forward and accused Jose Menendez of sexually abusing him while as a producer at RCA Records.
Gascón said he is aware of Rosello’s allegations against Jose Menendez. He also said he has a photocopy of a letter, penned by Erik Menendez, which also corroborates claims of sexual abuse. However, he stressed that none of these claims have been confirmed.
“Since I’ve been in office, we have re-sentenced over 300 people,” Gascón said. “Of those, only four have reoffended, which is probably one of the lowest recidivism rate of any group that I’m aware of.”
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[Feature Photo: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation]
