Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty of murdering their parents in 1996 (Image: Getty)
Infamous brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez are hoping a newly uncovered letter could help set them free, nearly 35 years since they were locked up for the brutal killings of their parents.
While the brothers initially denied playing any part in the of their parents, they later claimed that they shot them dead after years of sexual abuse at the hands of their father, Jose.
And now, after being reunited in 2018 for the first time in decades, the brothers are hoping that fresh evidence will set them free after being sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 1996 over the 1989 murders.
According to Erik’s stepdaughter Talia the brothers are set to find out within 60 days regarding the appeal decision from the LA County District Attorney.
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Erik and Lyle Menendez are hoping new evidence will see them be released (Image: Getty)
They believe that the new evidence will help shine a light on the alleged abuse from their father.
One of the potentially crucial new pieces of evidence could be a letter received in December 1988 and later kept in storage by their cousin, Andy Cano.
In a particularly pertinent part of the letter, Erik wrote: “I’ve been trying to avoid dad. It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now. … Every night I stay up thinking he might come in. … I’m afraid. … He’s crazy. He’s warned me a hundred times about telling anyone, especially Lyle.”
In fact, Mr Cano even testified at the original trials, where they were tried separately, but his evidence was suggested to be a lie according to prosecutors.
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The letter, which he received from the youngest Menendez brother in 1988 was only discovered in recent years after his mother found it in storage. Andy Cano died in 2003.
There have also been calls from family members for the pair to be released having spent the last three and half decades behind bars.
Erik’s stepdaughter, Talia, posted a story on calling for his and Lyle’s release, writing: “Im praying the DA (District Attorney)/judge has compassion not only for what my dad and uncle endured but also the fact that all of us family wants them home. Almost 35 years is enough time locked away. They have spent more time incarcerated than alive in the real world. Let that sink in.”