7 Reasons Menendez Brothers Could Walk Free After Murdering Parents

Despite planning and carrying out their parents’ brutal murders in 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez are hoping their petition for release might be granted by the district attorney in Los Angeles. Have they met their legal burden? Or could this just be a PR move? Matt Murphy and Alan Abrahamson debate the facts of the case.

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[mioneronn]

The term ‘walking free’ is used incorrectly here. They have already been convicted and spent 35 yrs or so in jail.

Edited: for everyone commenting on the length of the sentence: my comment was a linguistic one as ‘walking free’ means to not be convicted (when expected). They were convicted so the term ‘walking free’ is not correct here.

[tracisyhong]

35 years in prison is not called “walk free”

[EE]

I’m yelling at my TV now listening to these commentators using the phrase “abuse excuse”.

[andreakatherine]

I hate when that guy said it wouldn’t be any different today. Totally disagree.

[kilcy]

Gypsy Blanchard planned her mother’s murder and she’s a celebrity now everyone praises her yes is different circumstances but both had parents abusing them.

[AprilTheRockStar]

Holy crap the bias in this conversation is astonishing.

Mary Winkler served 210 days for murdering her abusive husband with a shotgun while he slept. Francine Hughes was acquitted after setting her abusive husband on fire while he was passed out drunk.

Obviously mitigating circumstances do matter, but not when the perpetrators are rich boys.

Anyone who's been in an abusive relationship knows that the "it's them or me" thought pops into your head eventually. I believe it did with Lyle and Erik, just as it did with Mary Winkler, just as it did with Francine Hughes.

"There's never been any suggestion that Kitty would kill her sons." But there's never been any suggestion she would protect her sons, either.

[lindseyprozanski]

Does anyone else get the ick when they say abuse excuse?

[hazelgabriel]

Let’s not overlook that one interview (of their former neighbor) when Jose and Kitty invited her for dinner, and Jose played a VHS tape in front of everyone, including the kids, Erik and Lyle. The tape, which lasted only a few seconds to a minute, had show "child p*rn*graphy" that Jose found hilarious. A parent in the right mind will never find it right and entertaining

[jessicajamieson]

I just want to say, those autopsy photos, all crime scene photos are available, we are seeing them, we are listening, and we are seeing it all..

[deedramcconis]

This whole conversation was excuse my phrasing but idiotic to if the brothers are lying then u both are saying over 50 other people are lying that testified at their trial Roy Rosello is lying, the victims(the family) is lying and don't have the right they are provided by Marcy's law to want them out.For some reason people want victims of abuse to be angels instead of human.And if u are going to have this man PLEASE have experts on to speak to the phycology of abuse victims when talking about the case that was dismissed during this discussion.and please stop speaking with this man.he is like the prosecutor that said men can't be assaulted bcuz they don't have the equipment

[carol]

Just because someone is a journalist does not mean they cannot be biased. Mr Abrahamson seems very "emotional" about his opinion.

[YourEverydaySheep]

"You didn't see autopsy photos. You didn't see Jose Menendez's head blown off, you didn't see Kitty Menendez's face blown to bits" Actually Alan, all of that is in the first trial which is what so many people are watching now. Oh this man is big mad that people are disagreeing with the prosecution. I'm flabbergasted that a man who reported on the first trial is really here saying that nothing was "corroborated". Did he have his eyes closed for half of the trial or something?

[OlgaPerez-hffb]

Gascon said he doesnt think they deserve to spend their life in prison.They have been rehabilitated. They have bettered themselves. They have studied and have been serving others. Enough is enough. Dr. Oziel said they didnt kill for money. He said they were angry at their parents. The Grand Jury REFUSED to charge them with murder for financial gain.

[pixie]

These guys have already done 35 years. Today’s criminals in California walk free.

[veronicavarela]

They should be free. They paid for the crimes their parents committed against them. They are not a threat to society. Let them have a life and stop this cruelty.

[Artistichelsee]

I would hate to have this guy as a professor

[paigejadeee]

One of the most biased interviews I have seen on this case. Disgusting.

[littleriverwest]

Those sons should've never spent a day in jail. The parents were vile criminals.

Usually I love listening to Sidebar with Jesse, but these two make me sick! Big dislike! Sorry Jesse!

[pattyyyy]

Wow! He is so disrespectful! Obviously he’s never gone through any type of emotional or physical abuse! He doesn’t know what it’s like to have to hide from all this abuse. I hope he’s family never goes through something like this, his so ignorant. So you’re telling me all their family members lied about the abuse? There wasn’t ANY one to talk nice about Jose the father. Even the DA said it herself!! He should just retire…