Kim Kardashian advocates for Erik and Lyle Menendez, praising their potential resentencing and highlighting their complex case.
Kim Kardashian expressed her support on Thursday after Los Angeles prosecutors recommended that Erik and Lyle Menendez be resentenced for the 1989 murders of their parents.
The reality star took to her Instagram Story, stating, “The Menendez brothers were granted a second chance at life and will wake up tomorrow finally eligible for a parole hearing.”
Kardashian, who is an advocate for prison reform, has worked in the past with the Trump administration to lessen sentences for non-violent offenders.
She’s been particularly vocal about the Menendez brothers, visiting them in prison near San Diego and writing an op-ed urging their release.
She highlighted that the brothers could be released in as little as six months following the prosecutors’ recommendation.
“Thank you, George Gascon, for revisiting the Menendez brothers’ case and righting a significant wrong,” she wrote, praising the Los Angeles District Attorney for his commitment to justice.
She also acknowledged the support from the brothers’ family, friends, and the public, stating that their voices had been heard.
Kardashian emphasized that the recent media attention, particularly due to Ryan Murphy’s TV series on the case, has shed light on the abuses and injustices the brothers faced.
She argued that society’s understanding of child abuse has evolved and that social media plays a crucial role in challenging established systems.
“This case highlights the importance of questioning decisions and seeking truth,” she noted.
In her op-ed, Kardashian described the situation as “more complex than it appears.”
She explained that after years of alleged abuse and a real fear for their lives, the Menendez brothers believed their only option was a desperate act.
She criticized the trial process, stating that crucial evidence about their abuse was excluded, which unfairly impacted their second trial.
Kardashian has spent time with the brothers in prison and reported that they have “exemplary disciplinary records.”
She described them as “kind, intelligent, and honest men,” countering the narrative that paints them as monsters for their actions.
She believes their harsh treatment is unjust, especially considering the abuse they endured growing up.
She also asserted that had the crime occurred today, the outcome would likely be very different.
Kardashian acknowledges that while the murders are “inexcusable,” the brothers should not be treated as serial killers given their background.
With Gascon recommending a 50-year-to-life sentence—making them eligible for parole due to their age at the time of the crimes—Kardashian is hopeful for a chance at redemption for Erik and Lyle.