Menendez brothers murder case under review by L.A. district attorney | Forensic Files

Eric and ly Menendez were convicted of the 1989 murder of their parents at their Los Angeles home they have been
behind bars for 34 years but there is new evidence that is leading LA's district attorney to take another look
our Natalie Morales has done extensive reporting on this and has the story yesterday the Los Angeles County
district attorney George gascon revealed that the emergence of new evidence in the case of Eric and Lyall Menendez
could lead to a resentencing we have been given a photo copy of a letter that allegedly was sent by one of the
brothers to another family member talking about him being the victim of molestation in 1989 the
Menendez brothers made headlines for the murder of their parents Jose and kitty their trial was must-watch TV at the
time they were convicted in 1996 and have been serving life sentences ever since the brothers now 53
and 56 have never denied killing their parents but say they were repeatedly sexually abused by them and committed
the crime because they feared for their lives late last year I spoke to Lyall Mendez about the new evidence in their
case what did you think when you heard about these new claims and evidence I mean for me I just was happy just a
burden to the telling what happened to and just have so much doubt in the public ER if the judge finds this
evidence credible I think it is sufficient to give them a new trial Cliff Gardner is an appellant
lawyer for the brothers he says the New Evidence includes a letter that was recently found in storage that Eric
reportedly wrote to his cousin 8 months before the murders every night I stay up
thinking he might come in I'm afraid he's crazy he's warned me a 100 times about telling anyone especially ly no
one knew about it a child it was never presented another return for the brothers Mark gagos also spoke saying
the reviewing of the New Evidence is long overdue we've got a much more robust and evolved understanding of
abuse I think it's time their family thinks it's time and their pellet attorney Cliff
Gardner told us quote I will take George gascan at his word that he is taking a close look at the case I'm pleased by it
because I think that anyone that takes a look at that evidence is going to walk away with the understanding those boys
were molested as children now there is a November 26th deadline for the DA's office to submit an informal response
but guys needless to say this is going to be a long legal process this was a habous petition that was filed a year
and a half ago with the District Attorney's office so now they're just getting to reviewing the case and George
gascan we should mention he is up for reelection at this time and back then Natalie you certainly didn't talk about
child molestation the way that we talk about it now and it's so surprising to me that a letter that crucial is just
coming to light now yes this was a letter that was in storage for many many years and this was a letter that Eric
wrote um which you know would show that you know this this was a letter that was
written eight months prior to the murders and it would add to more evidence perhaps uh that they were that
they were abused yeah and I just heard that 23 of the family members also want we keep calling them the boys but the
anda's Brothers out they said they've spent enough time in jaal we'll be following this case thank you Natalie
thank you very much

CASE UPDATE: In May 2025, Lyle and Erik Menendez were resentenced to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole. Due to that resentencing, they are now eligible for parole hearings under youth offender parole laws. In August 2025, the brothers’ first bids for parole were denied. In September 2025, a judge rejected the brothers' habeas petition for a new trial.

Erik and Lyle Menendez have each served 34 years in their life sentence after being convicted of the 1989 murder of their parents. Now, the Los Angeles district attorney is reviewing the murder case amid new evidence.

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Brief Summary

New evidence may lead to a retrial for Menendez brothers over childhood abuse claims.

Key points

Lyall Mendez Speaks Out. Lyall Mendez expresses relief about the new claims and evidence in their case.
Cliff Gardner's Optimism. The brothers' lawyer believes the new evidence is strong enough for a new trial.
New Evidence Emerges in Menendez Case. LA's district attorney is reviewing new evidence that could lead to a resentencing for the Menendez brothers.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I just was happy just a burden to the telling what happened to me.

Lyall Mendez on new evidence

1:18WatchOct 4, 2024

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