“They are not monsters”: Kim Kardashian calls for the Menendez brothers to be released

Kim Kardashian, an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform, believes Lyle and Erik Menendez should not spend the rest of their lives in prison. In an essay published for NBC News on Thursday (October 3), the reality star and fashion mogul shared her thoughts on the infamous Menendez brothers case, which has received renewed attention following the release of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has taken care of.

Lyle and Erik, now 56 and 53 respectively, were convicted in the 1996 murders of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez. At the time they were just 21 and 18 years old.

In the essay, Kardashian highlighted the alleged abuse they suffered at the hands of their parents and believes they were unfairly dismissed during their legal proceedings.

“We are all products of our experiences. They shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be,” Kardashian wrote in her essay. “Physiologically and psychologically time changes us and I doubt anyone would claim to be the same person they were at 18. I know it’s not me!”

Kardashian further pointed out that the Menendez brothers were allegedly victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse for years. Erik even claims that his father started raping him when he was just six years old. Despite the abuse allegations, she argues that the brothers did not receive a fair trial.

Kardashian drew attention to the timing of the Menendez brothers’ second trial, which began just eight days after OJ Simpson’s acquittal. Kardashian’s father, Robert Kardashian Sr., served as a defense attorney in the Simpson case. “Eight days later [O.J.] Simpson’s acquittal and opening arguments began in the second trial of Erik and Lyle. This time, however, the judge had changed the rules,” she wrote.

“Both brothers were tried together before a single jury, much of the abuse evidence was deemed inadmissible and manslaughter was no longer an option. Some witnesses at the first trial were not allowed to testify about the alleged abuse, depriving the jury of important evidence. “The prosecutor, who successfully fought to exclude the abuse testimony, ridiculed the brothers’ defense in his closing argument for failing to provide evidence of abuse,” Kardashian continued.

Kardashian argued that the justice system failed the Menendez brothers, claiming that society’s view of abuse, particularly against boys, was limited at the time of their trial.

Because it was the first trial to be televised, she claimed, “Erik and Lyle’s case became entertainment for the nation, their suffering and stories of abuse ridiculed in skits on Saturday Night Live.” The media turned the brothers into monsters and sensational eye candy – two arrogant, rich kids from Beverly Hills who killed their parents out of greed.”

“I spent time with Lyle and Erik; “They are not monsters,” Kardashian said, describing them as “kind” and “honest men” with “exemplary disciplinary records” during their time in prison.

While Kardashian acknowledged that the murders were inexcusable, she insisted that the men the Menendez brothers became in their 50s deserve a second chance. “We owe this to the little boys who lost their childhood and never had the chance to be heard, helped or saved,” she concluded.