What did the Menendez brothers’ uncle say about them? Other family members extend support while Milton Andersen opposes their prison release
Milton Andersen, an uncle of the Menendez brothers, opposed their release from prison. On Wednesday, October 16, Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez, who was murdered by Lyle and Erik Menendez, said via his attorney that the "cold-blooded actions" of the two brothers had "shattered their family." Andersen's attorney Kathy Cady stated:
"Mr. Anderson believes that the reason that his nephews murdered Kitty and her husband was because of greed."
Andersen preferred that his nephews remain behind bars. However, the brothers' other relatives did not feel the same way. Following the reopening of the Menendez brothers' case, they received support from their father and mother's sisters, Terry Baralt and Joan VanderMolen. The latter lamented about the extent of abuse they allegedly suffered at the hands of her brother-in-law.
Milton Anderson prefers that the Menendez brothers "stay in prison"
As support continues to grow for the release of the Menendez brothers after uncovering new evidence, a disapproving opinion emerged from within their own family. Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced earlier this month that he was reviewing the newly submitted information leading to the brothers' murder of their parents following new evidence filed in a 2023 petition by the brothers' attorneys.
However, Milton Andersen, the brother of the 90-year-old brother of the Menendez brothers' mother, Kitty Menendez, had no interest in seeing the duo get out of prison, where they have been for over 30 years. Andersen's attorney and retired prosecutor Kathy Cady said in a statement quoted by CNN:
"The Menendez brothers’ cold-blooded actions shattered their family and left a trail of grief that has persisted for decades. Jose was shot six times, and Kitty was shot ten times, including a shot to her face after Erik reloade.,"
According to the statement, Andersen was never informed that George Gascón had reassigned the case and was taking another look at it. Andersen accused the district attorney of allegedly betraying the victims of the brothers and their loved ones. Cady said that Andersen, being a part of the victim's family, had "a constitutional right to be informed" and that his opinions mattered in the case.
Andersen attributed the murder of his sister and brother-in-law to Erik and Lyle Menendez's alleged "greed." He claimed that the brothers had caught wind of their father, Jose Menendez, thinking of removing them from his will. Moreover, Andersen also claimed that the brothers were not r*ped by their father. As per NBC, Kathy Cady stated:
"He (Milton Andersen) prefers that (the Menendez brothers) stay in prison because he believes that’s what justice requires,"
However, Andersen's own sister, Joan Andersen VanderMolen, was among the slew of people who gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 16, to express their support for the brothers' release via a news conference. As quoted by CNN, she told reporters:
"I had no idea the extent of the abuse they suffered at the hands of my brother-in-law. None of us did. We know that abuse has long effects, and victims of trauma sometimes act in ways that are very difficult to understand… The whole world was not ready to hear that boys could be r*ped."
Kitty Menendez's nephew Brian Andersen Jr. also proclaimed that the brothers were no longer a threat to society. According to him, they were only trying to protect themselves and became "vilified" instead of being seen as "victims."
Jose Menendez's niece, Anamaria Baralt, also expressed support for the brothers and told reporters that the sentencing would have been much different if it had been done with today's understanding of abuse and PTSD. She even read a statement from her mother and Jose Menendez's sister, Terry Baralt. She read:
"I implore the district attorney’s office to end our prolonged suffering and release Lyle and Erik back to our family. Thirty-five years is such a long time. My prayer is that I live long enough to see my nephews again and to hug them once more."
Back in 2023, the attorneys for the Menendez brothers filed a petition requesting relief from their prison sentences following new allegations and evidence regarding Jose Menendez’s alleged pattern of s*xual abuse. A letter written by Erik Menendez to his cousin, eight months before the brothers shot their parents, detailing the se*ual abuse he allegedly suffered under his father, was presented as evidence.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison and are currently at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California.