By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and JAIMIE DING
Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing new evidence in the case of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than 35 years ago, the city’s district attorney said Thursday.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said during a news conference that attorneys for Erik Menendez, 53, and his 56-year-old brother, Lyle Menendez, have asked a court to vacate their conviction.
Gascón said his office will review new evidence and also decide whether the case should be considered for resentencing. A hearing was scheduled for Nov. 29.
The district attorney said he is “not leaning in any direction right now. I’m keeping an open mind.”
The new evidence presented in the petition includes a letter written by Erik Menendez that his attorneys say corroborates the allegations that he was sexually abused by his father.
The case has gained new attention in recent weeks after Netflix began streaming “The Menendez Brothers” documentary series.
From left, attorney Leslie Abramson, Erik Menendez, attorney Jill Lansing and Lyle Menendez, in the courtroom on Tuesday, March 22, 1994. (Los Angeles Daily News file photo)
The Menendez brothers
Attorneys for Menendez brothers cite new evidence in seeking to overturn convictions
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The Menendez brothers murder their parents, August 20, 1989
Lyle Menendez: ‘I am the kid that did kill his parents’
The brothers were given life sentences for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989.
Lyle, who was then 21, and Erik, then 18, admitted they fatally shot-gunned their entertainment executive father and their mother, but said they feared their parents were about to kill them to prevent the disclosure of the father’s long-term sexual molestation of Erik.
Prosecutors contended there was no evidence of any molestation. They said the sons were after their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.
Jurors rejected a death sentence in favor of life without parole.
City News Service contributed to this report.
