Milton Andersen, the 90-year-old brother of Kitty Menendez, has expressed strong opposition to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón’s recent decision to recommend resentencing Erik and Lyle Menendez. The brothers are currently serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
“He is in disbelief,” said Kathleen Cady, an attorney representing Andersen. “Mr. Andersen firmly believes that the correct verdict was reached, and the correct sentence was imposed. He is extremely disappointed that Mr. Gascón is going to be making this recommendation and hopes that the judge will not go along with it.” Cady described Andersen’s feelings as a “miscarriage of justice.”
On October 24, Gascón announced plans to ask a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to resentence the Menendez brothers, now aged 56 and 53, to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Since they were both under 26 years old at the time of the murders, they would be immediately eligible for parole under California law as “youthful offenders.”
During a press conference, Gascón spoke of the brothers’ “journey of redemption and a journey of rehabilitation” while incarcerated. He highlighted initiatives they created in prison to address untreated trauma and support inmates with physical disabilities. “All this was done by two young people,” Gascón remarked. “They had no hopes of ever getting out of prison.”
Cady, however, criticized Gascón’s actions, labeling the decision as a desperate move to “salvage his political career” as he runs for reelection this year. “His handling of the case is unconscionable,” she added.
The Menendez brothers were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 after a highly publicized trial that captivated the nation. They were found guilty of fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty, in the den of their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989. Jose Menendez, then the chief operating officer of RCA Records, was shot multiple times, including at point-blank range in the head. Kitty, 47, was also shot multiple times, including once in the face.
The brothers claimed that the killings were motivated by years of sexual abuse inflicted by their father, which they alleged was overlooked by their mother, a former beauty queen. However, prosecutors argued that greed was the primary motive, pointing to the brothers’ lavish spending spree following their parents’ deaths.
ADVERTISEMENT
After their initial trial resulted in a hung jury, Erik and Lyle were retried and convicted. They received life sentences without the possibility of parole, a verdict that has remained a subject of debate and public interest for decades.
Now that Gascón’s office has filed a petition for resentencing, the case will proceed to a judge. Should the judge agree with the DA’s recommendation, the case will then go before a parole board. This potential shift in the brothers’ status has reignited discussions about their case and the broader implications of their original convictions.
Family members of Kitty Menendez have been vocal about their opposition to the potential release of Erik and Lyle. Joan Andersen VanderMolen, Kitty’s sister, and Karen VanderMolen, Kitty’s niece, have publicly spoken out against the idea of resentencing. They held a press conference on October 16, where they addressed the ongoing legal developments surrounding the case and urged the public to consider the impact on their family.
As the case unfolds, it highlights ongoing conversations about justice, rehabilitation, and the complexities of familial abuse. The Menendez brothers’ story has remained a poignant example of the intersection between crime and the often-tragic dynamics of family life.
The impending legal proceedings will be closely watched, both by those who believe the brothers deserve a second chance and by others who view their actions as unforgivable. With the prospect of parole looming, the case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding issues of justice and mercy, especially in high-profile cases like this one.
For anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, resources are available, and individuals are encouraged to seek help. Text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 for support.
ADVERTISEMENT
