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As Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez‘s upcoming court docket listening to approaches, their members of the family held a press convention, calling for a doable re-sentencing. On Wednesday, October 16, a number of kin spoke out in help of the brothers, together with Kitty Menendez‘s sister, Joan Anderson VanderMolen. Lyle and Erik fatally shot Kitty and José in August 1989, however their household has stood behind them since their Nineteen Nineties trials.

During the current press convention, the household introduced the launch of a coalition and web site titled “Justice for Lyle and Erik.” The occasion happened simply hours after the Los Angeles District Attorney launched Erik’s letter that was written to his late cousin, Andy Cano, in 1989, revealing that Erik knowledgeable his cousin of his father’s abuse.

Find out what the Menendez brothers’ household mentioned on the press convention, under.

Kitty’s Sister Blames José

While taking to the rostrum in entrance of reporters, Joan known as the murders of Lyle and Erik’s late dad and mom “tragic” however emphasised that the siblings dedicated the crime because of their father’s “cruelty.”

“Their actions, while tragic, were the desperate response of two boys trying to survive the unspeakable cruelty of their father,” Kitty’s sister mentioned, in accordance with Daily Mail. “The truth is, Lyle and Erik were failed by the very people who should have protected them—their parents, the system, and society at large.”

At the Menendez Brothers press convention, their aunt explains the significance of understanding the affect of the trauma from sexual abuse: “Abuse has long lasting effects. Victims of trauma sometimes act in ways that are very difficult to understand” pic.twitter.com/fxsR5DpSG0

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 16, 2024

Kitty’s Nephew Says Lyle & Erik are ‘Not Villains’

Brian Andersen Jr., one in every of Kitty’s nephews, mentioned that he’s “known Erik and Lyle [his] whole life,” in accordance with the outlet.

“I’ve known Erik and Lyle my whole life. I can tell you without a doubt that they are not the villains they’ve been portrayed as,” Brian mentioned. “They were boys, young, scared and abused by their father in ways no child should ever experience.”

José’s Niece Says Family Would Benefit From Menendez Siblings’ Release

Anamaria Baral, one in every of Lyle and Erik’s cousins, mentioned that the incarcerated brothers “deserve a chance to heal, and our family deserves a chance to heal with them.”

Per TODAY, she continued, “Both sides of the family, united, sharing a new bond of hope. Hope that with the reexamination of the case a new outcome will be reached. Hope that this 34-year nightmare will end and we will be reunited as a family.”

José’s Sister’s ‘Prayer’ for Erik & Lyle

Anamaria learn aloud a letter from her mom, José’s sister, which learn, “My prayer is that I live long enough to see my nephews again and to hug them once more,” in accordance with Daily Mail.

Since their 1996 convictions, Lyle and Erik have maintained the declare that they killed their dad and mom out of self-defense after years of alleged emotional, bodily and sexual abuse at house.

If you or anybody you recognize has been sexually abused, name the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A skilled workers member will present confidential, judgment-free help in addition to native assets to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.