[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Erik and Lyle Menendez’s aunt dropped disheartening info against her own sister — the brothers’ deceased mother — during a court appearance on Monday.
The infamous brothers have been in prison since 1996 when they were sentenced to life for the murder of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. But as we’ve been following, they have a chance of freedom as their attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition citing new evidence of their alleged sexual abuse at the hand of their father. And Kitty’s older sister Joan VanderMolen not only supports her nephews, she’s speaking out against their mother.
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During an appearance at the Van Nuys Courthouse in California on Monday, the 92-year-old testified that Kitty “knew” about the abuse Jose subjected Lyle and Erik to. She said:
“It breaks my heart that my sister Kitty knew what was happening and did nothing about it, that we knew of. They never knew if tonight would be the night they would be raped.”
That’s so heartbreaking. And SO unfathomable that a parent wouldn’t want to do anything in her power to protect her children — even if it’s from their other parent.
In reference to their upcoming resentencing, which could see them finally get the possibility of parole, Joan added:
“It’s time for them to come home. No child should have to endure what Lyle and Erik had to at the hands of their father.”
Lyle and Erik’s resentencing was originally scheduled for December 11, but has since been pushed back to January 30 in the wake of former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón losing his re-election earlier this month. He was the one to recommend the brothers be resentenced, but now Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic noted he and the new DA Nathan Hochman need more time to look through the “17 boxes” of documents related to the case… But hey, that’s better than the recommendation being withdrawn altogether!
The brothers’ other aunt Terry Baralt also spoke at the hearing, telling the courtroom, “I feel 35 years is a long time. I think it is time for them to come home.”
What do YOU think the outcome will be on January 30? Let us know in the comments down below!
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and would like to learn more about resources, consider checking out https://www.rainn.org/resources
[Images via Netflix/YouTube]
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