'Not monsters': Kim Kardashian writes open letter in support of Menendez brothers

Kim Kardashian has written an open letter in support of Erik and Lyle Menendez insisting the brothers "are not monsters".

The pair are serving life in prison without the possibility of parole after they were convicted of killing their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez with shotguns at their family home in Beverly Hills in 1989 — but Kim has now insisted the siblings were not treated fairly because of the amount of media coverage of the first trial — which ended in a mistrial — and rulings by the judge which excluded evidence of claims they were sexually abused by their dad from their second trial in 1996.

In an open letter published online, Kim wrote: "The first trial was televised for all to see, and 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 sensationalised eye candy — two arrogant, rich kids from Beverly Hills who killed their parents out of greed. There was no room for empathy, let alone sympathy.

"Erik and Lyle had no chance of a fair trial against this backdrop. Back then, there were limited resources for victims of sexual abuse, particularly for boys.

"There were virtually no systems in place to support survivors, and public awareness of the trauma of male sexual abuse was minimal, often clouded by preconceived judgments and homophobia. Can anyone honestly deny that the justice system would have treated the Menendez sisters more leniently?"

Kim — who is campaigning for prison reform — went on to add: "Despite overwhelming family testimony acknowledging the abuse Erik and Lyle suffered, the public remained skeptical.

"Robbed of their childhoods by their parents, then robbed of any chance of freedom by a criminal justice system eager to punish them without considering the context or understanding the 'why', and without caring about whether the punishment fit the crime, Erik and Lyle were condemned before the trial even began...Many people believe the crimes the brothers committed are unforgivable — but what about the decades of alleged abuse they suffered as children?"

Kim then revealed she has spent time with both brothers and she insists they should not be condemned as "monsters" — echoing the title of Ryan Murphy's Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

She added: "I have spent time with Lyle and Erik, they are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men. In prison, they both have exemplary disciplinary records. They have earned multiple college degrees.

"The killings are not excusable. I want to make that clear. Nor is their behaviour before, during or after the crime. But we should not deny who they are today in their 50s. The trial and punishment these brothers received were more befitting a serial killer than two individuals who endured years of sexual abuse by the very people they loved and trusted."

Kim added she believes the pair's life sentences should be "reconsidered" now the case is back in the spotlight, concluding: "We owe it to those little boys who lost their childhoods, who never had a chance to be heard, helped or saved".

Kim's letter comes as Los Angeles county district attorney George Gascon confirmed the office plans to review evidence in the case after the brothers' attorneys asked a court to vacate their convictions.

Officials will now look over the evidence and make a decision on whether the case should be resentencing. A hearing has been set for Nov 29.

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