For many years, I struggled [with] what happened in my sisters family.
It was a nightmare none of us could have imagined.
No jury today would issue such a harsh sentence without taking their trauma into account, VanderMolen continued.
Erik (left) and Lyle Menendez on trialTed Soqui/Sygma/Getty Images
They have changed and become better men, despite everything that theyve been through.
From the beginning, I believed Lyle and Erik were victims of their fathers abuse.
I grew up knowing, and feeling, something wasnt right.
The feeling in their house, and the father-son interactions, were just off.
I forgive my cousins because I know they were acting out of fear and desperation.
She said the brothers were six and eight years old when the alleged abuse started.
It terrified them, she said.
We live in a time now where we understand what trauma does to the brain development of a child.
…Its time for Erik and Lyle to come home.
She said it was time to recognize the injustice they suffered.
Investigators found the parents bodies riddled with shotgun wounds amid a horrific, blood-soaked scene.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, claimed the boys wanted their inheritance and murdered their parents for greed.
Separate juries, one for each of the brothers, deadlocked after the first trial.
Dianes testimony was excluded from the second trial.
The pending habeas petition also relies heavily on new evidence.
Its still happening Andy but its worse for me now, Erik wrote.
I never know when its going to happen and its driving me crazy.
Every night I stay up thinking he might come in.
…Hes warned me a 100 times about telling anyone.
Rossello claimed that Jose Menendez, a music executive, had sexually abused him too.
Rand was at the press conference Wednesday and tellsRolling Stonehe hopes the brothers will be released soon.
I called Jay Lenos show one time to protest them making fun of them.
And thats all they did.
They just made fun of them, their aunt said.
I was told that we were public property now and they could do what they wanted.
Its time, he said at the press conference.
Gascons office issued a statement after the meeting expressing empathy for all the victims involved in these tragic incidents.
We have heard the heartfelt pleas from the Menendez family regarding a review of this case.
The next court date in the matter is set for Nov. 26.
