‘Monsters’ star and Kim Kardashian celebrate key Menéndez Brothers case decision

Kim Kardashian and actor Cooper Koch are among those celebrating the news that the Menéndez brothers are to be resentenced for the 1989 killing of their parents.

At a press conference on Thursday (October 24), the Los Angeles county district attorney George Gascón recommended that Erik and Lyle Menéndez should have their sentence reviewed after new evidence had emerged.

The brothers were convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder in the case of the death of their parents José and Kitty at a high-profile trial that concluded in 1996. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, despite continuing to claim that they acted in self-defence after years of alleged sexual abuse by their father.

Their story was recently told in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix show Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, in which Koch played Erik and Nicholas Alexander Chavez played Lyle.

The renewed interest in the case has caused a lot of people to side publicly with the Menéndez brothers’ cause, including Kardashian, who wrote an essay recently that argued the case is more complex than it first appeared and that the brothers “chose what they thought at the time was their only way out”.

Now, in response to the resentencing news, Kardashian has posted on Instagram: “The Menéndez brothers were granted a second chance at life and will wake up tomorrow finally eligible for a parole hearing. They could be released in as early as six months.”

She continued: “Society’s understanding of child abuse has evolved, and social media empowers us to question the systems in place. This case highlights the importance on challenging decisions and seeking truth, even when guilt is not in question.”

“I believe in the justice system’s ability to evolve, and I am grateful for a society where we can challenge decisions and seek justice. Never stop questioning.”

Similarly, Koch, who visited Erik with Kardashian while making the show, has shared his gratitude at the decision.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and hope for the progress we’ve seen today,” wrote Koch in a post on his brother Payton’s Instagram (via Deadline). “Gascón’s recommendation has ignited a renewed sense of possibility that Lyle and Erik could finally be released after decades behind bars. But, this journey is not over.

“There are still critical steps ahead: the judge must endorse the resentencing, and, if that happens, the parole board must recognize the time they have served as fitting for the crime. Our voices, our unwavering support, remain crucial—not just for the brothers to ensure their release, but also for every victim of sexual abuse fighting to be heard. I hope to see Erik and Lyle soon. Free from all of this.”

Prior to the resentencing announcement, Erik Menéndez had dismissed the Netflix show as a “dishonest portrayal”, which caused series creator Ryan Murphy to defend the show, claiming that Erik “hasn’t watched the show”.

A separate two-hour documentary titled The Menendez Brothers was also released on the streamer earlier this month, along with a three-episode companion podcast, Introducing The Menendez Brothers, which features audio from Erik and Lyle speaking to director Alejandro Hartmann via phone calls from prison.

In light of the new sexual abuse evidence in the case, Murphy has also suggested he may be interested in extending the second season of Monsters to continue the brothers’ story.

The post ‘Monsters’ star and Kim Kardashian celebrate key Menéndez Brothers case decision appeared first on NME.