Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted of the brutal 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, are set to appear in court again on November 29—28 years after being sentenced to life without parole. This comes just weeks after Netflix's true-crime series "Monsters" reignited public interest in their case. Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced the hearing at a press conference, revealing that new evidence had surfaced suggesting the Menendez brothers were molested by their father.
"We have been given a photocopy of a letter that allegedly was sent by one of the brothers to another family member, talking about him being the victim of molestation," Gascón said. Additionally, Gascón disclosed further claims from a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, Roy Rosselló, who alleged he, too, was molested by Jose Menendez. The emergence of this information could lead to a retrial or at least a resentencing, although no decisions have been made yet.
"None of this information has been confirmed," Gascón clarified. "We have a moral and ethical obligation to review this evidence and determine if it warrants a resentencing." The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 after two mistrials—first tried separately and then together—for the murders at their Beverly Hills mansion.
While they never denied committing the crime, the brothers have always maintained they acted in self-defence, claiming they feared for their lives after enduring year.