Recently the public has been amazed by the news that the infamous Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle Menendez, are up for a resentencing years after the murder of their parents. Though some think that the brothers got the sentence they deserved, others are celebrating this resentencing. Some on the internet speculate that this new allowance of resentencing might be because of the earlier release of Gypsy Rose Blanchard who was found innocent since she was under similar circumstances with her mother.
Paloma Chavez wrote in The Miami Herold, "Ever since Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released from prison, online conversation has sparked about the Menendez brothers and the call for them to be set free. People on TikTok are using the app to compare the two cases and call out the judicial system for the "unfair" sentencing Erik and Lyle Menendez received in 1996."
The Menendez brothers were originally convicted after brutally killing their parents when they were in their early twenties. They then went out and spent their family's fortune while they were in "mourning." When they were finally caught, they pleaded self-defense because they had been physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by their parents for years and had finally had enough. Though there were plenty of family and friends to back up their claim of being in an abusive home, the excuse didn't work and they were sentenced to life in prison.
After serving thirty-five years in prison, the brothers are being granted another trial due to new evidence and their behavior in prison. There has been more evidence regarding their father's abuse submitted to the court. The new evidence consists of a letter that Erik Menendez sent his cousin when he was younger. Part of the letter read, "I've been trying to avoid dad. It's still happening, Andy, but it's worse for me now. … Every night I stay up thinking he might come in. … I'm afraid. … He's crazy. He's warned me a hundred times about telling anyone, especially Lyle." Even though several family members testified to the boys telling them about the abuse, this is the only physical evidence of those testimonies that could be just what the brothers need. There are several ways the new sentence could go. Some think that the charge should have been manslaughter since the boys were protecting themselves and they were very young. The proposed new sentence is fifty years to life with parole, and since the brothers have already served most of that sentence, they should be out in no time.
They have been described as "model prisoners." Neither of the brothers has been involved in any fights or any other kind of conflicts since they were convicted. This has also played a big part in the decision of a resentencing since it shows their nonviolent nature despite what they did all those years ago. Since the brothers have been in jail both have also been married. Lyle has been married twice and Erik is currently married to Tammi Menendez. Between the internet, the evidence, and their behavior, the Menendez brothers just might be out of prison in no time.
References
Chavez, Paloma. "Calls grow to free Menendez brothers, inspired by Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Who are they?" miamiherald.com, 16 Jan. 2024, www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article284292248.html. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Slifer, Stephanie. "Menendez Brothers Await a Decision They Hope Will Free Them." CBS News - Breaking News, 24/7 Live Streaming News & Top Stories, 1 Mar. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/news/menendez-brothers-await-decision-they-hope-will-free-them-48-hours/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Venn, Lydia. "So, Who Are the Wives of Lyle and Erik Menendez?" Cosmopolitan, 23 Sept. 2024, www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a62333152/lyle-and-erik-menendez-wives/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
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