Additional Coverage:
- Menendez brothers’ aunt breaks silence in exclusive interview as case goes to court (abcnews.go.com)
Menendez Family Rallies for Brothers’ Release After 35 Years
Eight relatives of Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted in the 1989 murders of their parents, spoke exclusively with ABC News, voicing their unwavering support for the brothers’ release. Among them was Terry Baralt, Jose Menendez’s sister, speaking publicly for the first time in decades.
Baralt, battling colon cancer, expressed her urgent desire to see her nephews freed. “It’s time,” she stated. “35 years is a long time.
It’s a whole branch of my family erased.”
The brothers are currently serving life sentences without parole. A hearing is scheduled for Friday regarding District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s motion to withdraw a previous resentencing petition.
Hochman argues the brothers haven’t taken full responsibility for their actions and maintains their claims of self-defense are fabricated. He has stated he would reconsider resentencing if they admitted to the “full range of their criminal activity.”
Over 20 Menendez family members are advocating for the brothers’ release, citing claims of abuse, expressions of remorse, and positive contributions made while incarcerated. Diane VanderMolen, a cousin, conveyed a message from Erik: “They are truly, deeply sorry for what they did.
And they are profoundly remorseful… And through that, they have become pretty remarkable people.”
Besides resentencing, the brothers are pursuing two other avenues for release: a clemency request to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has ordered a risk assessment by the parole board, and a habeas corpus petition based on new evidence not presented at trial. This new evidence includes a letter Erik wrote detailing alleged abuse and allegations from a former boy band member claiming he was assaulted by Jose Menendez. District Attorney Hochman has moved to deny the petition, questioning the credibility and admissibility of the new evidence.