Lyle and Erik Menendez have actually lagged bars in California for more than 3 years for the 1989 killing of their moms and dads, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Founded guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in jail in a case that recorded the country’s attention, they had no hope of ever strolling totally free. Brand-new proof might alter that.
Erik selected not to talk to “48 Hours” for this broadcast, however Lyle did, consulting with factor Natalie Morales by phone from RJ Donovan State Prison in San Diego, California.
Operator: You have a pre-paid call from–
Lyle Menendez: Lyle Menendez …
Operator: This call and your phone number will be kept an eye on and taped.
Natalie Morales: Hi, Lyle. Can you hear me?
Lyle Menendez: Hi. Yeah, I can hear you.
Natalie Morales: What did you believe when you found out about these … brand-new claims and proof …
Lyle Menendez: I indicate, for me, I simply mored than happy … ’cause it’s a concern to be informing what took place to you and simply have a lot doubt in the general public air.
The concern is not whether the Menendez bros eliminated their moms and dads. They confess that they did. Rather, the focus of the case has actually long been why they did it. They firmly insist that they eliminated out of worry and in self-defense after a life time of physical, psychological, and sexual assault suffered at the hands of their moms and dads. Among their attorneys, Cliff Gardner, states the brand-new proof supports those claims– and reduces their fault.
Cliff Gardner: If the judge discovers this proof reliable, I believe it suffices to provide a brand-new trial.
THE MENENDEZ MURDERS
To comprehend how we got here, we have to go back to the start: the night of Aug. 20, 1989, when Lyle Menendez made this call to 911 from the household’s Beverly Hills estate:
911 OPERATOR: Beverly Hills Emergency?
LYLE MENENDEZ: Yes, please, uh–
911 OPERATOR: What’s the issue?
Lyle Menendez: (Crying) Someone eliminated my moms and dads!
911 OPERATOR: Pardon me?–
LYLE MENENDEZ: (Sobbing) Someone eliminated my moms and dads!
After officers reacted to the scene, then-21-year-old Lyle and 18-year-old Erik reported that they had actually gotten back to discover their moms and dads shot to death in the household space. Jackie Lacey was a deputy district lawyer in Los Angeles at the time.
Jackie Lacey: I believe among the Beverly Hills investigators … explained it as one of the most … harsh criminal activity scene he had actually ever seen in his life.
AUTHORITIES NEWS CONFERENCE: I’ve remained in this organization for over 33 years, and I have actually become aware of really couple of murders that were more savage than this one was.
Jose Menendez, a previous magnate at RCA Records,