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As Erik and Lyle Menendez prepare for their re-sentencing hearing in March, their cousin, Anamaria Baralt, is speaking out on their behalf, urging their release. “Hope is a dangerous game when you are an inmate after 35 years,” she says. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk reports for TODAY.Jan. 24, 2025
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See the new daily sports game from NYT Games and The Athletic
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The Menendez brothers cousin, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has spoken out amidst the delay in their re-sentencing. The cousin, who was close to Lyle and Erik Menendez during their trial and conviction for the murder of their parents in 1996, expressed frustration and confusion over the continued delays in their re-sentencing.
“It’s been over 30 years since the murders occurred, and the legal process just seems to drag on and on,” the cousin said. “I know that what they did was wrong, but they have served their time and it’s time for them to have a fair re-sentencing.”
The Menendez brothers were originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, but a 2018 law allowed inmates who were under 26 years old at the time of their crime to seek re-sentencing. Despite this, the brothers have faced multiple delays in their re-sentencing hearings.
“I just want closure for everyone involved, including the brothers themselves,” the cousin said. “They have expressed remorse for their actions, and it’s time for them to have a chance at a fair re-sentencing. I hope that the legal system can finally bring this to a resolution.”
Tags:
Menendez brothers, cousin, re-sentencing delay, family secrets, true crime, criminal case, homicide, sibling rivalry, justice system, legal drama
THE family of Erik and Lyle Menendez have had enough.
It’s been 35 long years since the brothers were arrested for gunning down their parents amid accusations of sickening sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
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Erik Menendez, left, and brother Lyle have spent 35 years in jail for killing their parentsCredit: Getty
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Anamaria Baralt, Erik and Lyle’s cousin, told The U.S. Sun the time is now for their releaseCredit: The U.S. Sun
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The Menendez brothers are said to have rehabilitated themselves, going above and beyond to help other inmatesCredit: AP
Yet in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun, the brothers’ cousin admitted the family would pay even the price of being dragged back into court again to get them home.
Anamaria Baralt hopes to see a change after she claims the brothers were “mocked” in previous trials for alleging their dad was guilty of abuse.
GLOBAL ATTENTION
The harrowing murder was headline news back in 1989 and has dramatically been revived in the public eye following two recent Netflix series about the killings.
Lyle, now 56, and Erik, 53, have been locked away for life, with no chance of parole, after brutally killing their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in their swanky Beverly Hills mansion on that fateful August day.
Read more on Menedez brothers
After years of campaigning, having served over three decades behind bars in San Diego, and with their family pleading for their release, the brothers are said to be “cautiously optimistic” about the future.
A resentencing hearing initially slated for the end of January has now been pushed back until March with the California wildfires holding proceedings up.
While the delay was unavoidable, the family hope it will allow the authorities to complete a “deep dive” on everything pertaining to the case.
Lyle and Erik, caged for so long, can take another few weeks before learning their fate.
Many different outcomes are on the table when their hearing finally occurs.
They could be released immediately, forced to go before the parole board and relive the nightmare – which could take months and be “traumatic” for the family as old wounds would be reopened – or even be denied their freedom entirely.
Menendez brothers’ family mobbed outside court after disappointment as resentencing delayed_1
A separate petition includes bombshell evidence unearthed by indefatigable investigative journalist Robert Rand in which a former boy band member accuses Jose, a former RCA executive, of sexual abuse.
It has been on the table for two years.
The pressure on new Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman to deliver an acceptable outcome is growing with the spotlight burning bright.
But for cousin Anamaria and most of her family, the time is now to finally release their loved ones finally.
HEARTFELT APPEAL
In an emotional interview with The U.S. Sun, Anamaria’s eyes began to well up when talking about the surge of interest and reaction in one of the most infamous murder cases of all time.
The Washington state-based yoga instructor has lived with the pain of seeing her cousins jailed and vilified for almost four decades and, before opening her heart to The U.S. Sun last year, had never spoken publicly about her – and her family’s – indescribable pain.
“We don’t love the global spotlight,” she said before taking to the stage in Washington DC last week to take part in a talk about the case with Rand.
“But at the same time, we are grateful for it because, hopefully, it will help us get them back.”
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Erik and Lyle Menendez’s aunt Joan VanderMolen is 95 and desperate for their release as she battles health issuesCredit: AP
Anamaria was able to cast her mind back to the two trials in 1994 and 1996 – the first one was a mistrial and the second, coming just days after the stunning OJ Simpson verdict – and shudders.
With people less open about mental health struggles and sexual abuse, she says the boys’ pleas fell on deaf ears.
“The feeling of injustice was inescapable. They were mocked openly by the prosecutors in the trial,” she said, “that just wouldn’t happen today.”
She speaks with authority because the messages of support for her two cousins have sometimes left her totally floored.
Timeline of the Menendez brothers case
Erik and Lyle Menendez’s case dates back more than three decades since their parents were found shot to death at their Beverly Hills mansion.
Below is a timeline of the brothers’ case, starting at the gruesome crime scene:
August 20, 1989 – José and Kitty Menendez are found dead from multiple shotgun wounds.
March 8, 1990 – Lyle is arrested outside his parents’ Beverly Hills mansion.
March 11, 1990 – Erik surrenders to police after flying back into Los Angeles from Israel.
December 1992 – Murder charges against the brothers are officially filed.
July 20, 1993 – The murder trial, highly publicized on Court TV, begins in Los Angeles with Erik and Lyle each having a separate jury.
January 28, 1994 – The first trial ends with two deadlocked juries.
October 11, 1995 – Lyle and Erik’s second trial begins with one jury.
March 20, 1996 – The Menendez brothers are convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
July 2, 1996 – Lyle and Erik are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and sent to separate prisons.
February 22, 2018 – Lyle is transferred to the San Diego prison, where Erik is held.
April 4, 2018 – Lyle was moved into the same housing unit as Erik – the first time the brothers were reunited in over 20 years.
May 2023 – Lyle and Erik’s attorney files a habeas corpus petition after Roy Rosselló, a member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, made sexual abuse allegations against Jose Menendez in a Peacock docuseries.
September 19, 2024 – Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story releases on Netflix.
October 3, 2024 – Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón says his office is reviewing new evidence in connection with Lyle and Erik’s convictions.
October 7, 2024 – The Menendez Brothers documentary film comes out on Netflix.
October 16, 2024 – Family members of the Menendez brothers hold a press conference begging for the siblings to be released from prison.
October 24, 2024 – Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón recommends the brothers be resentenced.
November 25, 2024 – The Menendez brothers appear in court for a status hearing to learn their resentencing hearing is pushed back from December 11 to allow new DA Nathan Hochman more time to review the case.
January 30-31, 2025 – Erik and Lyle are set to go before a judge in a scheduled hearing.
INCREDIBLE RESPONSE
Naturally, in this often toxic age of social media, there have been a few jibes, people messaging that Erik and Lyle are getting their just desserts.
“There have been some hurtful messages,” she said.
But, in the main, Anamaria has been hit with an emotional, “touching” barrage of support, mostly from people who have also suffered their sexual abuse nightmares yet have been too scared to speak up – until now.
“I’ve had so many men reach out to tell me that it feels like we are fighting for them, too,” she admitted with a tear in her eye. “I can’t even begin to express what that feels like.”
“Resentencing is designed for people like them who have done the work and changed their lives.
Anamaria Baralt, the cousin of Erik and Lyle Menendez
Emotions also ran high when she talked about her beloved mother, Terri, and Aunt Joan.
Both ladies, 85 and 93 years old respectively, are fighting their own health battles.
Anamaria and the rest of her family pray that the boys are freed to see them before it’s too late.
“It would mean everything for my mother to hug them,” she said.
A 2023 documentary has blown the lid off the controversial Menendez case, spotlighting the jaw-dropping work of Rand, whose findings back the brothers’ claims that they killed their parents in self-defense after enduring years of alleged sexual abuse.
Adding fuel to the fire, explosive testimony from former Menudo star Roy Rosselló and a chilling letter Erik wrote months before the murders to his late cousin Andy Cano have surfaced as crucial evidence.
The Menendez legal team handed it to the DA’s office two years ago, yet progress has been slow.
“We wanted an expedited timeline but that’s just what we’ve had to deal with,” said Anamaria.
Ex-Republican-turned-Independent Hochman says he feels for the brothers but isn’t buying everything their lawyer, Mark Geragos, is selling.
Hochman slammed Geragos’ claims that they didn’t get a fair shake in court as “too simplistic” for such a high-profile case.
“Knowing the Geragos narrative is wrong, the issues that we’ll be looking at for the trial will be whether or not these two young men faced an immediate threat to their life,” Hochman, who has admitted he’s combing through “dozens” of confidential files ahead of the March hearings, told Deadline.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
The brother’s extended family, however, wants them out now.
Anamaria admitted they were “grateful” to sit down with Hochman for three hours at the back end of 2024 and were able to “communicate to him about their rehabilitation process and their journeys.”
Erik and Lyle have been trumpeted as perfect prisoners, going above and beyond to help others in jail.
They have, says Anamaria, been designing programs over the years “without any help of release” to help vulnerable young offenders to help make a “real change.”
She describes both boys as “joyous people” with a “real lightheartedness about them.”
“I’m a believer in redemption. Resentencing is designed for people like them who have done the work and changed their lives,” said their cousin.
“The amount of personal growth is stunning. I hope that’s what matters at the end of the day.”
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The Menendez brothers were subjected to two trials where their cousin maintains they were “openly mocked” about their claims of sexual abuseCredit: AP
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, have spent 35 years behind bars for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. However, their cousin, Diana Enriquez, believes that they have been living with injustice all this time after enduring years of abuse that was “mocked” by their parents.
Enriquez has vowed to do whatever it takes to free her cousins, even if it means paying any price. She believes that the brothers were driven to their actions by the trauma they experienced at the hands of their parents, and that they deserve a second chance at life outside of prison.
The Menendez case has long been a controversial and debated one, with many arguing that the brothers were unfairly sentenced and should be granted a new trial. Enriquez’s passionate plea for justice for Lyle and Erik has reignited the conversation surrounding their case, and she is determined to see them receive the freedom she believes they deserve.
As the fight for the Menendez brothers’ freedom continues, their cousin’s unwavering support and determination serve as a beacon of hope for those who believe in their innocence.
Tags:
Menendez brothers, abuse, injustice, family tragedy, murder trial, wrongful conviction, justice denied, freeing the innocent, family support, legal battle, criminal justice system, true crime story
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is a hypocritical “predator” who is “addicted to attention and power,” his cousin Caroline Kennedy reportedly warned senators ahead of the activist’s confirmation hearings on Wednesday.
“I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together,” Kennedy wrote in a letter obtained by The Washington Post. “It’s no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator.”
The letter accuses Kennedy, an activist who has helped spread doubt about vaccines and other widely accepted public health measures, of being a hypocrite who launched a “crusade against vaccination” for money and attention despite vaccinating his own kids.
It also reportedly alleges that Kennedy, who has been open about his past use of drugs and recovery, lured other family members “down the path of substance abuse suffered addiction, illness, and death while Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life.”
The Independent has contacted Kennedy and a lawyer working with Kennedy on HHS-related issues for comment.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, has come forward with a scathing letter to senators, denouncing her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a “predator” who is “addicted to attention.”
In the letter, which was obtained by several news outlets, Kennedy accuses RFK Jr. of using his family name and legacy to manipulate and exploit women for his own gain. She claims that he has a history of predatory behavior and has shown a pattern of abusive and manipulative conduct towards women.
Kennedy also criticizes her cousin for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories, particularly regarding vaccines and public health issues. She accuses him of using his platform to sow discord and confusion, rather than promoting facts and evidence-based information.
The letter is a rare public condemnation from a member of the Kennedy family, who are known for their tight-knit and fiercely loyal relationships. Kennedy’s decision to speak out against her cousin underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the urgency of holding RFK Jr. accountable for his actions.
As the #MeToo movement continues to shed light on issues of sexual harassment and abuse, Kennedy’s letter serves as a powerful reminder that no one is above reproach, regardless of their family name or status. It also highlights the importance of speaking out against abusive behavior and holding perpetrators accountable, no matter who they are.
Tags:
Caroline Kennedy, RFK Jr, predator, attention, scathing letter, senators, family drama, Kennedy family feud, public accusations, political controversy, family dynamics, Kennedy legacy
In the first fight of the evening, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s other teammate, Tagir Ulanbekov, had Joe Rogan in stitches during his unanimous decision win over Clayton Carpenter.
However, Umar Nurmagomedov failed to make it three victories out of three fights for the team.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Viral footage shows gutted Khabib Nurmagomedov
Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili lost the first two rounds on the judge’s scorecards before using his world-class cardio to mount a sensational come-from-behind victory.
As the 48–47, 48–47, and 49–46 scorecards were being read out, a fan in the UFC 311 crowd locked their camera on Khabib, who looked extremely anxious.
The 29-0 former champion held onto the Octagon fence and bowed his head as Bruce Buffer announced that his cousin had suffered the first defeat of his 19-fight MMA career.
At one point, Nurmagomedov covered his face before turning away from UFC boss Dana White in anger as he reacted to his team suffering a rare setback.
Khabib Nurmagomedov issues statement after UFC 311
“Had a rough night last night as I expected,” he wrote on Instagram.
“[Islam] has once again proven that he is the best in the world right now, and I am very happy for him and the journey he has taken in this sport, in the history of mixed martial arts, very few fighters have achieved what he has achieved. Keep working my brother, this is not the limit.
“[Umar] keep your head up Junior, yesterday you showed that you are one of the best in the world, at the moment we have something to work on, we will work on the mistakes and return to the title race.
“[Tagir] did a good job and made me very happy, but I know he can do even better, this year we need to win a couple more fights. Don’t forget about our target, bro.”
Related Topics
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the retired UFC lightweight champion, is known for his unwavering support for his fellow fighters, especially those from his native Dagestan. So when his cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov, faced off against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 272, all eyes were on Khabib to see his live reaction.
Footage from the event captured Khabib’s intense emotions as he watched Umar battle it out in the Octagon. The tension was palpable as the two fighters exchanged blows, but unfortunately for Khabib, his cousin ultimately fell short against the tough opponent.
Despite the disappointment evident on Khabib’s face, he remained a pillar of support for Umar, offering words of encouragement and consolation after the fight. This display of loyalty and camaraderie further solidified Khabib’s reputation as not only a formidable fighter but also a true friend and mentor to those in his fighting community.
As the footage circulates online, fans are once again reminded of the deep bonds that exist within the MMA world and the unwavering dedication that fighters like Khabib have for their teammates and family members.
