In 1994, Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents. The two brothers received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Here comes the problem.
Did they murder their parents? Yes.
Do they need to be punished? Yes.
However, the conviction was reached after the jury severely limited the defense. The fact that the two boys were tortured, sexually and phisycally abused was not considered when that life changing decision was made.
In fact, in 1994, Judge Weisberg argued specifically that the abuse could not have happened and should not be acknowledged because abuse does not happen to boys. If the Menendez brothers had been the Menendez sisters, then a conversation about abuse would have been permitted during the second trial.
While it is impossible to know exactly what transpired during the first eighteen years of their lives, it is quite possible to see how unfairly the two of them have been treated in the twenty-four years since, and how cruelly Judge Weisberg manipulated the scales of justice. Haven't they suffered enough?
The justice system sees the victims as enemies. How can we let this continue?
How can the people who were involved in the trial sleep at night, knowing that two pure souls were so badly damaged and nobody helped them?
Child abuse is horrific. It points to the worst of human nature.
Please sign that petition. It's a small step to a really big and important change.
