Family of Menendez brothers seek their release from California prison

Relatives of Lyle and Erik Menendez are urging prosecutors to release the brothers, who have served over 30 years for their parents' murder, as new evidence of alleged abuse by their father is being reviewed.

Relatives of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who have been serving life sentences for over 30 years for the murder of their parents, announced on Wednesday that they are meeting with prosecutors to push for the brothers' release.

Earlier this month, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon stated his office was evaluating new evidence that might lead to the brothers being freed or granted a retrial. 

Terry Baralt, the 85-year-old sister of their father Jose Menendez, made an emotional plea through her daughter, Anamaria Baralt, at a press conference, saying, "I implore the district attorney's office to end our prolonged suffering and release Lyle and Erik back to our family."

Around 20 family members attended the press conference, where they expressed their desire to meet with prosecutors and push for the brothers' release or a new trial, believing that today’s understanding of the effects of sexual abuse would have led to lighter sentences. 

In response, Gascon’s office released a statement acknowledging the Menendez family’s "heartfelt pleas" and affirmed it was "exploring every avenue available to our office to ensure justice is served."

This month, Gascon mentioned that newly surfaced evidence includes a letter Erik Menendez allegedly wrote eight months before the murders, describing abuse. Investigators are also looking into claims from a member of the 1980s pop group Menudo, who accused Jose Menendez, a music executive, of abuse.