“Shocking Allegations Unraveled: Did Decades of Family Abuse Drive the Menendez Brothers to Infamy?”
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The press conference, held on October 16th, included many family members including the jailed brothers’ 92-year-old aunt, Joan VaderMolen, who begged for their released.
VanderMolen said that “Lyle and Erik were failed by the very people who should have protected them — their parents, the system, and society at large.”
She added that after details of of their alleged abuse came to light, it was clear the boys were simply trying to survive their father’s cruelty and needed to defend themselves.
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The brothers’ lawyers previously filed new evidence that granted them a new court hearing. The evidence is a letter that allegedly proves that the younger Menendez brother, Erik, was sexually abused by his father, Jose Menendez, which led to to the siblings murdering him as well as their mother, Kitty, out of fear.
Following the press conference, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office released a statement.
They shared: “In response to today’s news conference by the Menendez brothers’ defense and family members, we want to take a moment to express our empathy for all the victims involved in these tragic incidents. We have heard the heartfelt pleas from the Menendez family regarding a review of this case.”
