Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascon has ignored credibility points associated to new proof that prompted him to announce his suggestion that the Menendez brothers be resentenced for the 1989 murders of their dad and mom in an effort to “rewrite historical past,” an legal professional for the brothers’ uncle mentioned.
Milton Andersen, the 90-year-old brother of Mary “Kitty” Menendez, has opposed the discharge of his nephews. His legal professional, Kathleen Cady, mentioned Gascon has ignored repeated requests that Andersen be told on any choice taken by the DA’s workplace.
“Regardless of quite a few requests, Gascón has refused to tell Mr. Andersen of any choices earlier than holding press conferences,” Cady mentioned in a press release. “Mr. Andersen has been left in the dead of night, pressured to be taught essential updates about his sister’s case by way of the media, reasonably than being handled with the dignity and respect he deserves.”
Gascon initially introduced he would evaluate the case in gentle of latest “proof,” which incorporates new allegations that the brothers’ father, Jose Menendez, molested Roy Rossello, a former member of the boy band Menudo, within the Nineteen Eighties, in addition to a letter that Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin, Andy Cano, that surfaced in 2015, wherein he talked in regards to the alleged sexual abuse.
“It’s unconscionable that Gascon, whose moral obligation is to pursue justice with integrity, has ignored my a number of notifications about people coming ahead with data that severely questions the credibility of the so-called ‘new proof’ on this case,” mentioned Cady. “But, Gascón has proven little interest in reviewing or investigating this proof, turning a blind eye to potential flaws in his pursuit to rewrite historical past.”
Gascon mentioned he plans to advocate a sentence of fifty years to life for every of the brothers, which might make them instantly eligible for parole beneath state regulation as a result of they had been beneath 26 on the time of the murders.
Each shot their dad and mom a number of instances as they had been watching tv inside their Beverly Hills mansion. After a mistrial, the pair was convicted and sentenced to life in jail with out the potential of parole.
“They’ve been in jail for almost 35 years,” Gascon mentioned Thursday. “I imagine that they’ve paid their debt to society.”
Any resentencing have to be authorized by a choose, he famous.
Throughout Thursday’s announcement, Joan VanderMolen, niece of Kitty Menendez, mentioned the DA’s workplace took a “courageous and compassionate step ahead” and “placing justice over politics” by way of his suggestion.
“It’s a recognition of the abuse my cousins endured,” she mentioned. “That is about reality, justice and therapeutic.”
Critics mentioned the timing of Gascon’s announcement got here amid a tricky re-election marketing campaign towards former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman.
In a press release, Hochman famous that Gascon obtained the brothers’ habeas corpus petition in Might 2023 and request for resentencing in February.
“But, he has waited till days earlier than the November 5 election, 30 factors down within the polls with articles coming about how his failed insurance policies have led to extra murders of harmless folks, to launch his suggestion for resentencing,” Hochman mentioned.
In an effort to salvage his political profession, Gascon was keen to “manipulate the information,” mentioned Cady.
“His choices have to be grounded in fact and regulation, not a last-ditch effort to sway voters,” she mentioned. “Gascón’s failure to uphold his moral tasks is a shame, and the victims of this horrific crime, together with Mr. Andersen, deserve much better than being pawns in a politician’s recreation.”
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