Kim Kardashian Wants Prosecutors To Reconsider Menendez Brothers' Sentences

Kim Kardashian has called on US prosecutors to reconsider the life sentences handed down to the Menendez brothers, who murdered their parents in their home in August 1989.

Brothers Lyle and Erik always claimed they committed the murders in retaliation for a lifetime of physical, emotional and sexual abuse suffered at the hands of their parents, José and Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez. 

The brothers had initially told police that they found their parents dead at their Beverly Hills mansion, before later telling authorities that they killed them to avenge the abuse they allegedly suffered.

However, at the original trial, prosecutors said there was no evidence to back up the brothers' claims that they were abused by their parents. They claimed that Erik and Lyle killed their parents in order to inherit the family fortune.

"They are not monsters"

Kim Kardashian, known US reality and entrepreneur, who often advocates for prison reform, has said that she visited the brothers in prison three weeks ago.

In an essay for NBC News, Kim Kardashian called for the life sentences given to Lyle and Erik Menendez to be "reconsidered". 

"They are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men", she wrote. "You think you know the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez. I certainly thought I did: In 1989, the brothers, aged 21 and 18, respectively, viciously shot and killed their parents in their Beverly Hills home". 

"In 1996, after two trials, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole", she continued. "As is often the case, this story is much more complex than it appears on the surface. Both brothers said they had been sexually, physically, and emotionally abused for years by their parents". 

Elsewhere, Kim Kardashian insists that she wants to make it clear that  "the killings are not excusable", but that she hoped Lyle and Erik Menendez's life sentences are "reconsidered".

"We owe it to those little boys who lost their childhoods, who never had a chance to be heard, helped or saved", she added.

Kardashian's comments come after Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon announced that the brothers will appear in court again in November, after new evidence allegedly corroborating Erik Menendez's claims that he was sexually abused by his father, came to light.

Gascon had confirmed that a review of the case is being undertaken. The hearing date is set for November 29.

This case has received fresh publicity, following the recent launch to Netflix of series: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story from co-creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.

Co-creator Ryan Murphy offered his opinion on the case: "We gave them their moment in the court of public opinion… I think they can be out of prison by Christmas. I really believe that".