New evidence has been brought to the courts that has allowed the Mendenez Brothers to be retried about the murder of their parents. After 35 years in jail, and a life sentence without parole, new hope is in sight for these brothers as their hopes to get out of jail are revived.
The Mendenez brothers consist of two men, Joseph Lyle Menendez who was born January 10, 1968, and Erik Galen Menendez who was born November 27, 1970. They were born into the care of their mom, Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, and their dad, José Mendenez. Joseph lived in a home in New York City from 1968-1970.
After living in New York, the family moved to New Jersey, which is where the second son Erik was born. In 1988, Erik was beginning to be involved with the wrong crowds. He ended up getting arrested twice for burglary in 1988. He stayed out of jail but was assigned to go to therapy by the court. Because of this, they move to the home in Beverly Hills where the brothers allegedly brutally killed their parents.
In 1989, the Mendenez brothers were living in the Beverly Hills home with their parents. That summer, the Mendenez brothers rushed into the den of their home armed with shotguns, and shot their parents who were lounging on the couch. Jose was shot a total of six times, and Kitty a total of ten times. The brothers, ages 18 and 21, killed their parents and then went on a shopping spree, and then came back home and called 911 claiming someone had killed their parents.
In court, the men both testified that they underwent years of sexual, physical, and mental abuse from their father. Lyle said he was abused from ages 6-8, while Erik, the younger brother, claimed the abuse was ongoing at the time of the murders. They recounted horrific events of this alleged abuse, and claimed the murder was an act of self defense because of this abuse.
The courts ruled that their claims of abuse from the father were lies, and gave them life without parole on January 13th, 1994. People accused the brothers of killing their parents for the money and million dollar estate.
After being convicted, several members of the Mendenezes’s extended family have come forward in favor of the brothers and requested they be retried. Family members and the brothers themselves believe they don’t deserve life without parole, and say it was simply an act of self defense.
In October of 2024, new evidence was released that is allowing the brothers to be retried. The new evidence is a letter from Erik to one of his cousins, recounting the fathers abuse and saying it is getting worse. This letter may be proof that the alleged abuse did occur, and that it was not made up, allowing them to possibly get out of jail sooner. The brothers were also reported to be good, unproblematic inmates who are showing good behavior which may help them get out sooner too.
They are set to be retried and resentenced on December 11th of 2024. The brothers’ family members and defense team are fighting hard, arguing the new evidence is proof of abuse, and that they have served their time in jail.
