Is Kim Kardashian advocating for the release of the Menendez brothers? Explained

The Menendez brothers have gained new support in the form of social media personality Kim Kardashian.

The SKIMS founder, known for her prison reform work, has advocated for the release of the Menendez brothers by writing an op-ed for NBC News. Her personal essay, titled "Kim Kardashian states it’s time for the Menendez brothers to be freed," was published on October 4, 2024.

She published the essay nearly two weeks after visiting Erik and Lyle Menendez at the Richard J. Donovan Correction Facility in San Diego County on September 21, 2024. Kim was accompanied by the actor Cooper Koch, who plays Erik Menendez in the recently released Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

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What did Kim Kardashian say about the Menendez brothers in her essay?

The media personality wrote in the essay that the criminal justice system failed the Menendez brothers by overlooking the se*ual abuse they suffered at the hands of their father. She said that although their crimes are "not excusable," they did not receive "the right punishment for this complex case" and hoped their life sentences would be "reconsidered."

Kardashian also mentioned how “preconceived judgments and homophobia” resulting from a lack of awareness about male se*ual abuse victims and trauma played a part in their mistrial. She went on to defend the Menendez brothers' conduct inside the prison by writing:

“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, worked as caregivers for elderly incarcerated individuals in hospice, and been mentors in college programs — committed to giving back to others.”

She continued:

“When I visited the prison three weeks ago, one of the wardens told me he would feel comfortable having them as neighbors. Twenty-four family members, including their parents’ siblings, have released statements fully supporting Lyle and Erik and have respectfully requested that the justice system free them.”

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What is the real story behind the Menendez brothers case?

The brothers were convicted of the murders and went through two trials. They were tried separately for their first trial, in which they alleged that they were se*ually abused by the father, with their mother allegedly enabling their abuse. Two of their cousins corroborated their claims, but their trials ended in deadlocked juries.

The second trial omitted the se*ual abuse claims and resulted in the jury finding the brothers guilty of first-degree murder. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996.

The Menendez brothers' shocking case gained the media spotlight again after Ryan Murphy's limited series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, was released in September 2024. Additionally, Netflix is slated to release a documentary on their story titled The Menendez Brothers on October 7, 2024.

The renewed interest in their case has led to some positive outcomes. On October 3, 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón stated that his office would review new evidence in their case.

The new evidence refers to a recently found letter that Erik wrote to his cousin in 1988, mentioning his alleged se*ual abuse by his father. Gascón conceded that the issue of se*ual assault would have been treated with sensitivity if it had taken place today. According to Variety, a new hearing to discuss their sentencing is scheduled for November 29, 2024.

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Interested readers can watch Ryan Murphy's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix.