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Rosie O’Donnell acquired a letter from Lyle Menendez about 30 years in the past after he noticed her on “Larry King Stay,” saying that she believed Erik’s claims that they have been molested by their father.
“I used to be out to lunch with Barbara Walters and our publicist Cindy Berger, and I stated, ‘Barbara, you are not going to imagine this, however guess who wrote to me—Lyle Menendez,'” O’Donnell recollects. “Barbara stated, ‘Ignore him, he is a assassin. He is very crafty.'”
Walters had beforehand interviewed Lyle and his brother Erik in jail for “20/20.”
O’Donnell adopted her recommendation. However two years in the past, when a documentary was launched that featured new proof that Lyle and Erik have been molested by their father, O’Donnell spoke out in help of the siblings on social media and within the press. “I received a name from Lyle’s spouse – I did not even know he had a spouse – asking if I’d discuss to him,” O’Donnell says. “He known as me on Mom’s Day final yr.”
Lyle and Erik are at the moment serving life sentences with out the opportunity of parole for the homicide of their dad and mom, Jose and Kitty, in 1989.
O’Donnell and Lyle turned quick buddies. “We discuss lots,” O’Donnell says. “I advised them I’d do what I might with no matter dwindling fame I’ve to carry mild to their story. I stated, ‘It isn’t the 90s, Lyle. I am not on that present anymore.’ I feel for those who really feel strongly about one thing and also you need to attempt to assist society, you should utilize your voice as a result of the youngsters who’re abused of their houses do not have a voice. It is as much as the adults who have been as soon as these youngsters to talk for them.”
O’Donnell turns into emotional speaking about assembly Lyle final yr when she made a visit to see him in jail in San Diego. “I noticed Lyle and gave him a hug,” she says, choking again tears. “Then Erik came to visit to me, hugged me, and whispered in my ear, ‘Thanks for loving my brother.’ It was very, very transferring to me.”
I caught up with O’Donnell a day after it was introduced {that a} courtroom listening to has been set for Erik and Lyle as Los Angeles District Lawyer George Gascón considers new proof that they have been allegedly molested by their father. On the similar time, Ryan Murphy’s Netflix collection, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, continues to carry renewed curiosity to the case.
What was your response once you heard concerning the DA and the brand new courtroom listening to?
I received a little bit little bit of a heads up from the fellows and their attorneys. So I knew it was coming. I used to be past excited. I knew that from having spoken to them that they have been each afraid to hope it might be what precisely it turned out to be. As quickly because the information dropped, I despatched them a textual content and stated, “It is actually occurring. Now, put that smile in your face. Right here we go.” That is what they have been ready for for thus many many years, and it is about time. I feel that we, as a society, it is time that we stated, “We made a mistake, and we did not perceive what we perceive at the moment.” It is sort of a miracle, however so deserving. I am so thrilled for them.
When was the final time you spoke to Lyle?
Final evening.
How are they doing?
They’re excited. They’re joyful. I got here in two years in the past as a cheerleader. I advised them then, “You are going to get out of there.” They did not actually imagine me, however I imagine that the incorrect shall be righted. They’re nonetheless reluctant to imagine it should occur.
Did you all the time assume at the present time would come?
I did, really, due to the brand new proof. Our tradition was simply not prepared in 1989 or the early 90s to speak about this topic in any respect. However we have been by a lot as a rustic in these 35 years. As a society, we now perceive that boys are, in truth, sexually abused at a really excessive fee, virtually the speed of ladies. So, it is a fallacy to assume that males do not try this to younger boys.
When do you assume they are going to be launched?
Prior to later.
Ryan Murphy advised me yesterday that he thinks they might be out by Christmas.
I’d be shocked if it have been within the subsequent 30 days. I do not assume they are going to make them wait for much longer. Ryan did them a service by doing them a disservice. (O’Donnell beforehand criticized “Monsters” as being inaccurate.) Ryan is a proficient filmmaker along with his personal type and stamp. I simply do not know that this case, this true-life story, essentially performed into his wheelhouse.
However you would see how the present put extra of a highlight on the case and probably pushed issues ahead.
I feel everybody who introduced consideration to it ought to be counseled, together with “Monsters.” I am glad that it occurred. I am not one to say it did or did not assist. I simply know, in my view, it might have been rather more correct.
Have you ever grow to be type of a surrogate mom to say?
I really feel like an enormous sister in a means. Lyle is among the most praised prisoners within the California jail system. You’ll be able to’t ignore that. If he was type of the psycho who was screaming at everybody and a maniac, would he have accomplished hospice for the dying prisoners? Would he have accomplished the entire issues that he did that allowed him to lastly get moved from San Francisco all the way down to his brother as a result of he had ten years straight with no single infraction? No one can masks their psychological sickness that a lot in 35 years. To be the extraordinary inmates that they each are is fairly damning testimony as nicely.
What sort of influence do you assume Kim Kardashian advocating for his or her launch has had?
I feel it is unbelievable. She’s one of the well-known folks on this planet and she or he calls for a loopy quantity of media consideration. I’ve by no means met her. I do not know her. I feel it is nice that she champions some causes the best way she does, and extra folks ought to try this after they imagine in one thing. I feel she has helped the district lawyer come to this conclusion proper now. There have been many postponements since they put this in over a yr. They’ve had this folder and all of the proof and all of the information for a yr, but it surely wasn’t till after Ryan Murphy and Kim Kardashian — to provide them each credit score and in no matter means they need — that it occurred. Properly accomplished, I say.
Are you going to succeed in out to Kim?
I would not know the way to try this. Perhaps I can name Kathy Griffin to get her quantity (Laughs.)
If or when Lyle and Erik are launched, will you be ready exterior the jail for them?
In the event that they wished me there, in fact. However I do not need to overshadow issues. Their household has been ready for them. All of their mom’s family members, all of their cousins, one thing like 70 persons are ready for this a part of their household to be returned. I am joyful to see them or take them to dinner. It should be a really, very arduous transition. They will want a whole lot of remedy to determine how you can be on this planet after being in jail for 35 years.
The place will you’re taking them to dinner?
I’ve all the time advised Lyle that I’ll take him to Nobu as a result of he thinks that is the place to go. Generally, I’d discuss to him at evening, and I might say that my buddies and I went to Nobu for lunch. I might say, “Buddy, once you get out, I am going to take you to Nobu.” Once I talked to him the opposite day, he stated, “When are we going to Nobu?” I stated, “Prior to you assume.”
This Q&A has been edited and condensed for size and readability.
Rosie O’Donnell Believes Menendez Brothers May Be Freed in 30 Days
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