The aunts of the man’s father’s sisters, Eric and Lyle Menendez, were hospitalized on Friday after graphic images of the brothers’ bodies were shown in court, according to the family.
Terry Barratt, 85, is in crisis after seeing the image in his latest court appearance for the brothers, according to Justice in the Erik and Lyle Coalition, a family-led effort to seek the release of their two brothers.
“In the open court, without prior warning, the prosecutors presented an unedited graphic image of Jose Menendez’s lively body.
The coalition described the law as “cruel and careless” and said it violated Mercy’s law when it came to the image. The law ensures that victims are treated with respect for privacy, dignity and fairness.
“No one prepared us,” the coalition statement continued. “There was no warning or humanity. It was shocking and pain to those who had already endured decades of grief.”
A relative, a member of the coalition, is asking that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office be removed from the case. NBC4 reached out to the DA’s office for comment.
Ballard, who is battling cancer, testified in support of the brother’s release last November. In a statement from the coalition, the family reiterates that “Eric and Lyle’s forgiveness will not erase our grief.”
The brothers, 21 and 18 when they killed their parents in 1989, are one step closer to the possibility of achieving freedom after the judge denied the demands that DA resentengenting recommendations.
The revised hearing is scheduled to take place on April 17th or 18th.
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