Family of Menendez brothers dismiss prosecutor criticism and urge their release

Lyle and Erik Menendez in 1991 (Kevork Djansezian/AP)

The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez have rejected claims by a prosecutor that the brothers had not appropriately taken responsibility for the killing of their parents and said any lies they told during their murder trial were due to trauma and fear.

“Kids lie when they’re scared, when they feel intimidated, and when they become traumatised,” said Tamara Goodell, a cousin of the brothers who spoke on Thursday at a rally calling for the brothers’ release from prison.