Kim Kardashian Advocates for the Release of the Menendez Brothers
In a recent op-ed published on NBC News, Kim Kardashian has come forth to advocate for the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted in 1996 for the murder of their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in Beverly Hills. The case, which has resurfaced in the media spotlight following the release of Ryan Murphy's Netflix series 'Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez,' has ignited discussions about justice, trauma, and the complexities surrounding their conviction. Kardashian argues that the brothers are not the 'monsters' they have been portrayed as but rather victims of severe abuse, stating, “They were convicted before their trial even began.”
The Menendez brothers, now aged 53 and 56, claim they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of their father. Kardashian emphasizes that the media sensationalized their story, stripping away the empathy and understanding of their traumatic experiences. She notes that public awareness of male sexual abuse was minimal at the time of their trial, suggesting that if they were tried today, the outcome would be markedly different. “We owe it to those little children who lost their childhood, who never had the opportunity to be heard, helped or saved,” Kardashian asserts, calling for compassion and reconsideration of their sentences.
- Kardashian's plea comes as the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has announced a review of new evidence related to the case, including a letter written by Lyle Menendez detailing the abuse. The upcoming hearing on November 26 could potentially lead to a new trial or a reconsideration of their life sentences. Prosecutor George Gascón has indicated a commitment to ethically reviewing the newly presented evidence, which includes testimonies from other individuals claiming to have been abused by José Menendez. This new evidence could dramatically alter the course of the Menendez brothers' future, with possibilities ranging from reduced sentences to an entirely new trial.
