DA Says Some People in His Office See No Evidence Menendez Brothers Were Molested. He Disagrees (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

He disagrees.

“There are some people in my office that believe that there is no evidence of molestation,” he tells PEOPLE. “I don’t agree with that, but that’s certainly the position that some people have taken, and they believe that they should stay in prison the rest of their life.”

“I’m aware of the information that came from the member of the Menudo band,” says Gascón. “I’ve heard the family. Now the family has been interviewed in the media multiple times, and I don’t believe that the family has any reason to lie, especially given the totality of the circumstances. There’s evidence that Erik communicated with one of his cousins prior to the murder. But the point is I think that there are multiple things. It certainly provides some credible information that this was not just something that was fabricated.”

Lyle and Erik Menendez.CDCR/MEGA

CDCR/MEGA

“I’ll be listening to not only the briefing, but recommendations from both teams,” he says. “That also plays a role. Because they’re not just sort of an agnostic presenter. They’re going to be presenting what they think should be the outcome. I expect one will be saying, ‘No relief,’ one will be saying, ‘Yes, provide relief,’ and I’ll evaluate both of them.”

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While Gascón can issue a recommendation on resentencing, a judge will ultimately make the final decision.

Gascón previously addressed the petition at a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 3, saying that his office was “keeping an open” mind aboutthe Menendez brothers’bid for release.

Lyle, Kitty, Jose and Erik Menendez.abc

abc

Acknowledging that the brothers “were clearly the murderers,” Gascón said his office had “a moral and an ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us” and to determine if such evidence could have swayed jurors away from first-degree murder convictions.

Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 when they fatally shot their parents using 12-gauge shotguns in the den of their Beverly Hills, Calif., home on Aug. 20, 1989.

Jose, 45, was hit multiple times, including point blank in the head. Kitty, 47, was shot multiple times, including once in the face.

However, prosecutors at the time said the two brothers’ motive was greed and cited their lavish spending spree after the slayings.

In 1996, three years after their first trial ended in a deadlock, the siblings were convicted of the first-degree murders and subsequently sentenced.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com