Self-defense or greed?
By RTL Nieuws·43 minutes ago·Edit: 2 minutes ago
© AFP / Vince BucciRTL
About twenty relatives of the infamous Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the murder of their parents in 1989, are calling on the American justice system to release the brothers. But there are also family members who want them to stay stuck.
The group of family members has formed the Justice for Erik and Lyle Menendez Coalition. During a joint press conference yesterday, they called for attention to the case and for the release of the duo. Their case has received worldwide attention because of a drama series and a documentary on Netflix.
Brothers Erik (now 53) and Lyle (56) Menendez shot their parents Kitty and José Menendez with shotguns in their home in Beverly Hills in August 1989. Shortly afterwards they started to spend money lavishly, buying several sports cars and Rolex watches, hiring a full-time tennis coach and taking luxurious holiday trips.
Tyrannical father
In public they pointed the finger at the mafia; their wealthy father, a successful businessman, is said to have had a conflict with criminals. But after the former mistress of their loose-lipped psychiatrist told the police about their confessions, the truth came to light.
Then they changed their story: their demanding and tyrannical father allegedly sexually abused both brothers for years. They also feared that their parents intended to kill them, which is why they would have struck earlier in self-defense. Justice and a jury saw it differently: the brothers allegedly murdered their parents to collect the inheritance. They were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996, after a second trial.
The brothers’ case is once again in the spotlight worldwide because Netflix made a TV series about it, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Last week a documentary was also put online, in which the brothers themselves spoke (by telephone).
This week, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon announced that the case reviewed because new evidence has been provided for the claim that their father sexually abused Erik. There will be a hearing on November 29 where the brothers can argue their case.
Justice and healing
One of the family members in the new coalition is Anamaria Baralt, a niece of father Jose. “Both sides of the family come together in our group,” she told the assembled press. “We have new hope for justice. This is about truth, justice and healing.”
According to her, the brothers are “victims of a culture that was not ready to listen.” This means that Erik and Lyle were hardly seen as victims of sexual abuse in the 1990s, because they are men. At that time, the idea of male victims of sexual abuse was still taboo.
“Lyle and Erik deserve the chance to heal,” Baralt said, “and our family deserves the chance to heal with them.”
Their lawyers also argue that the lawsuit would have had a different outcome if it had taken place today, now that society recognizes that men can be victims of sexual violence.
A second family member, Joan Andersen VanderMolen, a sister of Kitty Menendez, told reporters: “I had no idea that the boys were victims of abuse by my brother-in-law. Neither of us had any idea. Now we know that abuse has long-lasting effects and that victims sometimes act in ways that are difficult for others to understand because of their trauma.”
However, according to Sky News, there are also family members which the brothers do not want to be released at alllike Milton Andersen, a brother of Kitty: he believes that the brothers have received ‘an appropriate punishment’ and that they should serve it. His lawyer added: “He does not believe the sexual abuse took place. He believes the boys acted out of pure greed because they had just heard that their father wanted to cut them out of his will.”
Self-defense or Greed? The Menendez Brothers’ Saga
By RTL Nieuws · 43 minutes ago · Edit: 2 minutes ago
Ah, the Menendez brothers. Who knew that their family drama could make for such a riveting mix of soap opera and crime documentary? Just when you thought you’d heard it all, another group of family members pops up, vying for the spotlight while simultaneously dangling the possibility of freedom over Erik and Lyle Menendez, the infamous brothers convicted of murdering their parents back in 1989. This week, the newly minted “Justice for Erik and Lyle Menendez Coalition” held a press conference – a family reunion with a twist. It’s a bit like Thanksgiving, but with a side of murder.
From Shotguns to Sports Cars
Let’s briefly revisit the Knights Templar-esque history of the Menendez brothers. In 1989, these two charming lads didn’t just have a family spat; they orchestrated a brutal double homicide right in their Beverly Hills home. Shotguns blazin’, they took out their parents like a couple of antagonists in a bad action movie, and then spent their inheritance like lottery winners at a sale. Sports cars! Rolex watches! Full-time tennis coaches! I mean, if they needed a wallpaper to cover up the bloodstains, they could’ve at least had a good time doing it.
The New Family Plan
Fast forward to today, and the Menendez case has once again entranced the public imagination, thanks to Netflix and some very entertaining documentaries. The current trend? New evidence is being reviewed! Yes, folks, because nothing says “justice” like rehashed family drama à la Hollywood. This week, LA District Attorney George Gascon announced he’d be reviewing the case due to new claims regarding the alleged sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez. Who knew a family could be this complicated? It’s like an episode of Game of Thrones, minus the dragons.
Victims Turned Villains?
One might wonder: could the Menendez brothers truly have been victims? Their niece, Anamaria Baralt, seems to think so, claiming they’re victims of a culture that simply wasn’t ready to hear male victims of sexual abuse in the 90s. She’s advocating for their chances at healing — ah, isn’t that sweet? A family circle of understanding where they talk about trauma over tea and scones. Perhaps they can share their favorite murder-themed Netflix shows afterward!
Yet, it’s not all roses and rainbows. Some family members oppose the release vehemently. One such dissenting voice comes from Milton Andersen, who argues that the brothers’ actions were rooted not in victimhood, but in sheer greed. Because who wouldn’t murder their parents for a taste of that sweet, sweet inheritance? It’s practically a rite of passage in some cultures. “An appropriate punishment,” he declares, as if he’s judging a reality TV competition.
Murder or Self-Defense?
The key question remains: Did the brothers act out of genuine fear for their lives or were they simply opportunistic heirs? The courtroom seemed to think it was the latter. The brothers were given life sentences in 1996 after a lengthy trial that had everyone gripped tighter than a pair of skinny jeans at Thanksgiving dinner. But are the tides changing? Society’s views on male victims of sexual abuse have evolved, and it seems we are due a reassessment of the case, possibly setting a precedent that could revolutionize the judicial outlook on such matters.
The Bottom Line
As the hearing on November 29 approaches, we’re left to ponder – is it self-defense wrapped in a tragic family history, or is it greed disguised as trauma? Grab your popcorn, this melodrama is far from over! With family tensions soaring higher than the brothers’ spending habits at a Californian mall, one can only hope that whatever the outcome, it brings some version of closure to a family drama that’s been scripted for a lifetime.
But remember, just because it’s intriguing doesn’t mean it’s not a tragedy at its core. Let’s not forget the real victims here – the parents whose lives were cut short amidst a tangle of ambition, fear, and perhaps a little too much therapy.
