Kim Kardashian is calling for the release of the Menendez brothers, breaking her silence in an essay she penned on their case and declaring it’s time for justice to be served.
Kardashian begins her essay to NBC News by reflecting on her own life at 18, the same age Erik Menendez was when the notorious murders of his parents occurred.
“We are all products of our experiences. They shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be,” the reality TV star wrote. “Physiologically and psychologically, time changes us, and I doubt anyone would claim to be the same person they were at 18. I know I’m not!”
Lyle, 21, and Erik, 18, admitted to fatally shooting their parents but claimed they acted out of fear their father, who had sexually abused Erik for years, was about to kill them to keep the abuse a secret.
The brothers shot Jose five times, including once at point-blank range with a shotgun aimed at the back of his head. As Kitty attempted to crawl away, Lyle reloaded and shot her in the face with a shotgun. A total of 14 shots were fired.
Kardashian talks about the trials and their timing in connection with the high-profile O.J. Simpson case, where her father, Robert Kardashian, served as on of the NFL legend’s defense attorney. The trials gripped the nation as the world watched live footage from inside the courtrooms for both trials.
She noted if the Menendez trials were held today, the outcome would likely be different, given the improved understanding of sexual abuse. She also believes they did not receive a fair second trial.
In the first Menendez brothers’ trial, which began in 1993, Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the 1989 murders of their parents. The trial ended with two deadlocked juries, unable to agree on whether the brothers were guilty of murder or acted out of fear. This led to a mistrial and set the stage for a second trial in 1995.
More than four months after the Menendez mistrials, Simpson was charged with killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Then, just eight days after Simpson was found not guilty, the opening arguments kicked off in Erik and Lyle’s second trial.
Prosecutors argued there was no evidence of molestation and the judge excluded abuse evidence from the second trial in 1995. They claimed the sons were motivated by a desire to inherit their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate, which was not the case.
“Erik and Lyle had no chance of a fair trial against this backdrop. Back then, there were limited resources for victims of sexual abuse, particularly for boys,” Kardashian wrote. “There were virtually no systems in place to support survivors, and public awareness of the trauma of male sexual abuse was minimal, often clouded by preconceived judgments and homophobia. Can anyone honestly deny that the justice system would have treated the Menendez sisters more leniently?”
Mark Geragos, who is seeking a new sentencing for the duo after new evidence emerged, talked to Newsweek about how society’s evolving understanding of abuse has influenced legal outcomes.
“It’s always been interesting to me how culture has evolved,” Geragos told Newsweek. “I believe if these had been two sisters, they would not have been in custody now and they would not have been convicted of murder.”
After visiting and spending time with the Menendez brothers, Kardashian said, “They are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men.”
“In prison, they both have exemplary disciplinary records. They have earned multiple college degrees, worked as caregivers for elderly incarcerated individuals in hospice, and been mentors in college programs — committed to giving back to others,” Kardashian said. “When I visited the prison three weeks ago, one of the wardens told me he would feel comfortable having them as neighbors. Twenty-four family members, including their parents’ siblings, have released statements fully supporting Lyle and Erik and have respectfully requested that the justice system free them.”
Kardashian ends the letter by stating while the killings are inexcusable, we should not overlook who they have become in their 50s.
“We owe it to those little boys who lost their childhoods, who never had a chance to be heard, helped or saved,” Kardashian wrote.
Next Steps for the Menendez Brothers
Nearly 35 years later, new evidence has emerged through a habeas corpus petition that could potentially lead to a new sentence for the Menendez brothers.
Veteran Menendez reporter Robert Rand told Newsweek he uncovered this groundbreaking evidence. He discovered a letter written nine months before the killings. Then 17-year-old Erik confided in his 15-year-old cousin about the ongoing sexual abuse by his father.
The letter never appeared at either trial or in any evidence hearing during the 1990s, but now could change the course of the sentencing.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón told Newsweek his office is reviewing the evidence. While Gascón has not yet decided on the next steps, a hearing is scheduled for Nov. 29.
“There are people in my office who believe they should never get any relief, and others who believe they should,” Gascón said. “I have now decided we will go through a thorough process of investigating both the new evidence for habeas and whether they have been rehabilitated for resentencing.”
Kim Kardashian’s Commitment to Criminal Justice Reform
Kardashian has become a prominent advocate for prison reform, using her platform to highlight issues within the criminal justice system.
She has focused on advocating for the release of nonviolent offenders and those who have been unfairly sentenced. Through her involvement in high-profile cases, including her efforts to free Alice Marie Johnson, Kardashian has drawn significant attention to the need for systemic change.
Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in 1997 after being convicted on charges of attempted possession of cocaine and conspiracy to possess cocaine, both non-violent offenses. Former President Donald Trump commuted Johnson’s sentence in 2018 after Kim Kardashian West interceded before Trump on Johnson’s behalf. Johnson became an advocate for criminal justice reform and spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Her work emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation over punishment and aims to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of incarceration on marginalized communities.
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