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The families of Lyle and Eric Menendez held a press conference Wednesday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles, where more than 30 family members advocated for their brothers’ freedom at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
The brothers’ attorney, Mark Geragos, began by saying he had been working for “18 months” to get the brothers released from prison.
Mark revealed that Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón’s office has “engaged productively with us for over a year.”
“They’ve spent over 35 years in prison. If they were the Menendez sisters, they wouldn’t be in custody. We’ve evolved,” Geragos said before letting the family speak.
Anamaria Balart, José Menéndez’s niece, was the first to speak on behalf of the family. She called Eric and Lyle “victims” and said they were “victims of a culture that refuses to listen.”
She stressed that “it is time to recognize the injustices they have suffered and give them the second chance they deserve.”
Anamaria believes that their incarceration “serves no purpose of rehabilitation,” adding, “Now we are here, with both sides of the family united and a new bond of hope.” We hope that this will be shared and that the re-investigation of the case will yield new results.” I hope this 34 year nightmare ends and we can reunite as a family. ”
She wants prosecutors to see the “full picture” and release the brothers from prison. She said: “It is in my heart that if Lyle and Eric’s case had been heard today, with the understanding we now have of abuse and PTSD, their sentencing would have been very different. There is no doubt about it,” he said.
Anamaria also read statements from her mother and Jose’s 85-year-old sister, although they were unable to attend. She “steadfastly supports” her brothers.
Annamaria said her family has created a website to support Eric and Lyle’s fight for freedom. JusticeForErikandLyle.org.
Joan Andersen Vandermolen, sister of Eric and Lyle’s mother Kitty Menendez, was the second to speak at the press conference.
Vandermolen admitted she was “full of emotions” and said she had “hope” for Eric and Lyle.
Joan believes Lyle and Eric’s actions were a “desperate” attempt to escape alleged abuse at the hands of their father.
She said: “I had no idea how much abuse they were suffering at the hands of my brother-in-law. None of us did. The effects of the abuse are long-lasting and the victims of the trauma… We know that sometimes they behave in ways that are very difficult to understand.”
“They were just kids. Children who were supposed to be protected were instead brutalized in the most horrifying ways. The truth is, Lyle and Eric were betrayed by the people who were supposed to protect them: their parents.” That’s what I mean,” Joan continued. When they went to trial, the world was not ready to believe that boys could be victims of sexual violence. ”
Joan tearfully says that Eric and Lyle have become “better men” after everything they’ve been through.
Vandermolen urged people to sign the petition on his website.
Brian Andersen Jr., Kitty Menendez’s nephew, spoke next. He said he felt the brothers’ actions were “reprehensible” and that the system had “failed” them. He added, “They are beyond their past…They are no longer a threat to society…Eric and Lyle deserve a second chance.”
“I’ve known Eric and Lyle my whole life, and I can say without a doubt that they are not the villains that they have been portrayed as. They are boys, young, scared, and doing things that a child should never do. “He was abused by his father in such a way,” Brian added.
Karen Vandermolen admitted that she was “somewhat nervous” to speak. She felt she “needed to know the truth” about Lyle and Eric, who she believed had been abused.
She pointed out that her sister Diane had evidence that could not be presented at the second trial.
She said: “These were two young boys who were never allowed to make decisions for themselves. They lived in constant fear… What happened is tragic. I forgive you. I know they were acting out of fear and desperation.”
Karen noted that her siblings’ trauma led them to make questionable decisions.
she continued. “I think they’ve paid for their sins… It’s time for Eric and Lyle to go home.”
After the press conference, the family met with the prosecutor’s office to file a lawsuit.
In 1996, the brothers were convicted of the 1989 murders of Jose Menendez and Kitty Menendez and sentenced to life in prison without parole. They have appealed the verdict several times, but have always been rejected.
Gascón recently held a press conference and said the prosecutor’s office is reviewing the case. He said he would then decide whether to proceed with a new trial or impose a new sentence.