Prosecutor to Review Sexual Assault Claims in Menendez Brothers Case – Crime Online

A California prosecutor said Thursday he will investigate sex abuse allegations involving the Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents.

The Los Angeles Times reported that evidence that Erik and Lyle Menendez’s father molested them was presented during their first trial — which ended with a hung jury — but this evidence was not as prominent during the second trial that resulted in their convictions. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said he has no doubt the couple committed the murders, but the review could result in a sentencing hearing.

“We are not ready at this point to say whether or not we believe this information,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “But we are here to tell you that we have a moral and ethical obligation to assess what is presented to us and make a decision.”

Erik and Lyle Menendez bought two shotguns with cash and used them to kill their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. Investigators initially suspected that the mafia was behind the murders. However, a breakthrough in the case came in 1990 when Erik Menendez, then 18, confessed to a therapist.

The abuse allegations are receiving renewed attention thanks to Ryan Murphy’s Netflix show, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” Variety reported that Murphy is considering renewing the season as a court hearing on the case is scheduled for November 29.

“I think what I would like to do, if Nicholas (Alexander Chavez) and Cooper (Koch) agree, is maybe one or two episodes that continue the story,” Murphy told Variety.

While the defense argued that the murders were the result of sexual abuse, prosecutors alleged that the brothers wanted access to their inheritance. However, KTLA reported that Roy Rosello, an ex-member of the boy band Menudo, came forward and accused Jose Menendez of sexually assaulting him while he was a producer at RCA Records.

Gascón said he is aware of Rosello’s allegations against Jose Menendez. He also said he has a photocopy of a letter written by Erik Menendez that also corroborates claims of sexual abuse. However, he stressed that none of these claims have been confirmed.

“Since I came to power, we have reconvicted more than 300 people,” Gascón said. “Of those, only four have reoffended, which is probably one of the lowest recidivism rates of any group I know.”

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(Feature photo: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)