Will new evidence free the Menendez brothers? | Forensic Files

new developments in a double murder case that captivated the country years ago it
was 27 years ago exactly that Eric and ly Menendez were found guilty of murdering their parents now they claim
that they killed Jose and kitty Menendez in self-defense and both brothers were given life sentences in this week's 48
Hours contributor Natalie Morales looks at whether new evidence could reopen this Infamous case here's a look
back you have a prepaid call from l Mendez I'm at arj Donovan State Prison in San Diego California and I am here
for killing my parents my brother and I were convicted together Lyall and Eric Menendez have been behind bars in
California for more than three decades it All Began on the night of August 20th 1989 Jose and kitty Menendez were shot
to death in their Beverly Hills mansion former Los Angeles County district attorney Jackie Lacy wasn't involved in
the case but reviewed it at 48 Hours request it was an expression of hatred for these two people at first lyo and
Eric Mendez weren't even on investigator's radar they later confessed to the killings in therapy
when the brothers went on trial they claimed that they killed in self-defense after a lifetime of physical emotional
and sexual abuse suffered at the hands of their parents ly Menendez testified that his father began sexually abusing
him when he was only 6 years old he break me their first trial ended with two hung juries when they were tried
again prosecutors argued that the brothers were lying and were able to convince a judge to exclude some of the
evidence of alleged abuse that's when they were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison
but now decades later the case is back in the news Cliff Gardner represent present the Menendez brothers we now
have evidence that makes absolutely clear that those boys were molested and if those boys were molested it would
have been manslaughter and they would be out Roy roselo a former member of the boy Bano has come forward alleging that
he was sexually abused by Jose Menendez too Menendez was an executive at RCA records which signed menudo to a
recording contract did you or Eric think that another person would accuse your father of child molestation I did not I
could not believe it Natalie Morales joins us now from Los Angeles Natalie good morning to you
that's quite a turn what prompted the new witness to come yeah it is I remember this story very well and at the
time well it still is shocking but you've never seen a story where kids were accused of killing their parents in
the way that they did it I'll never forget it so what what do you think prompted this new witness to come
forward well the attorney for the Menendez brothers Cliff Gardner said he spoke to Roy roselo the former band
member menudo band member who came forward and told his story he found him to be credible he said with victims of
sexual abuse you know it's very painful to speak about these things that happen and that it can take years for them to
recognize what happened to them for them to choose to come forward and speak out
takes a lot of Courage yeah the attorney also said that new evidence has has surfaced can you tell us what that is
yes new evidence uh according to cff Gardner is a letter that was found by a Menendez family member in storage and
this letter was written by Eric according to to Gardner in the months leading up to the crime in that letter
Eric wrote to his cousin alluding to the sexual abuse that he was undergoing at the hands of his father and Gardner says
this is contemporaneous proof that the abuse was happening Gail wow Natalie Morales thank you this is a very
interesting turn of events I'll be watch watching thank you you can watch Natalie's report we're calling at the
Menendez brothers fight for freedom on 48 hours tomorrow night at 10:00 9 Central right here on CBS and on
Paramount Plus

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.

The Menendez brothers are serving life sentences for killing their parents in 1989. Now, they're hoping new evidence will help them in their fight for freedom. "48 Hours" contributor Natalie Morales reports.

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings" co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.

For video licensing inquiries, contact: licensing@veritone.com

Brief Summary

New evidence in the Menendez brothers' case raises questions about their convictions for murdering their parents.

Key points

Menendez Brothers Case Revisited. New evidence emerges in the infamous Menendez brothers' double murder case, potentially reopening the investigation.

Episode highlights

Menendez Brothers Case RevisitedNew evidence emerges in the infamous Menendez brothers' double murder case, potentially reopening the investigation.“We now have evidence that makes absolutely clear that those boys were molested.”2:04Mar 1, 2024

Episode quotes

We now have evidence that makes absolutely clear that those boys were molested.

Cliff Gardner discussing new evidence for the Menendez brothers' case

2:04WatchMar 1, 2024

More from 48 Hours

Solve the Crime

Read a real case one clue at a time, then see how your call held up against the investigators.