13:52 PT — As the Menendez family stands behind them Eric and Lyle today, people in the crowd were divided … some holding signs encouraging for release, others want people to stay behind bars.
13:30 PT — Bryan FreedmanAn attorney representing the Menendez family said the family went to the Hall of Justice in LA. As a victim of Murder under Marsy’s Law, family members can go to court to be heard… and, all will reiterate their belief that Erik and Lyle should be released from prison.
1:25 p.m. PT — Kittyhis niece — Karen VanderMolen — said he always believed Erik and Lyle’s story … feeling that something was wrong in the household growing up. He added that if Erik and Lyle had been women, they would have received shorter sentences.
13:21 PT — Brian A. Andersen Jr. — Kitty‘s nephew — he said he had known the Menendez bros all his life … he said he didn’t think his brother was the villain the media had made him appear.
If the trial had been held today – he said – the alleged sexual abuse that was dealt with would not have been dismissed, and the trial would have ended differently. Brian says that when Erik and Lyle are released, he will welcome them home with hugs and sleepovers.
1:17 p.m. PT — Joan Andersen VanderMolen — Kitty Menendez’s 92-year-old sister – said it took many years for her to come to terms with her brother’s murder… but, the alleged abuse suffered by the Menendez Brothers has changed her.
Joan says Erik and Lyle were let down by the people they were supposed to protect – including Kitty. He said the world was not ready to accept that boys could be sexually assaulted in the 1990s — now, the world knows differently, and the punishment needs to be changed.
13:12 PT — Jose Menendezniece, Anamaria Baralthave read a statement from his mother – Jose’s sister – he said he could not make it because of health challenges … but, he threw support behind Erik and Lyle and asked for the release of the brothers. He wanted to hug her at least one more time in his life, he said in the letter.
13:07 PT — Mark Geragos already mentioned Roy Rossello‘s Erik’s testimony and letter to his brother Andy also the work of Menendezs behind the bar for rehabilitation … said they hope for the DA to resentence the brothers.
The families of Erik and Lyle Menendez are pushing for their release from prison, holding a press conference outside a Los Angeles courthouse … and TMZ is streaming it live.
Rosie O’Donnell is scheduled to speak in support of the Menendez brothers … and nearly two dozen family members have traveled from across the country to pressure the LA County District Attorney. George Gascon to formally recommend the resentencing of a notorious murderer.
Erik and Lyle’s defense attorney, Mark Geragos, will also comment … and three of the Menendez brothers’ cousins, plus an aunt, will also take the mic.
Among the new evidence that the family wants to discuss here is a letter that Erik wrote a few months before the brothers killed their parents … their father’s hand, Jose Menendez.
Andy’s mother reportedly found Erik’s letter about nine years ago … and at the Menendez brothers’ trial, Andy testified that Erik had told him about his father’s abuse when he was just 13 years old. Andy died in 2003, so he won’t be attending the press conference.
As reported, earlier this month DA Gascón announced his office re-evaluate the evidence in the Menendez case … and the district attorney said he had heard of another abuse claim against Jose, made by Menudo band member Roy Rosselló.
Erik and Lyle have been in prison since 1990 … he testified about being abused by his father in his first trial, which ended in a hung jury – but the judge refused to allow that testimony in the trial again – and he is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
It will be interesting to see what the family has to say here…they are clearly hoping that this new evidence will overturn Erik and Lyle’s sentences.
Originally Posted — 12:45 PM PT
