Menendez trial juror comments on new evidence

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Decades after a judge sentenced Lyle and Erik Menendez to life in prison for the murders of their parents, their case is once again in the national spotlight.

“Every new generation hears about the case and says, 'I don't understand, if they were mistreated, why are they still in prison?' That’s because people didn’t believe them in the 1990s,” said Hazel Thornton, a juror in Erik Menendez’s first trial.

Thornton lives in Albuquerque and served as a juror in Erik Menendez's first trial, which ended in a hung jury.

KOB 4 spoke with Thornton about recent new evidence that confirms the brothers' longstanding claims that they were sexually abused for years by their father, Jose Menendez.

“The letter that Erik wrote to his cousin Andy predated the murders but was unearthed and presented to the prosecutor in this new package,” Thornton said.

A Los Angeles district attorney is also investigating an affidavit from a member of Menudo, a 1970s Latino boy band.

“The big news last year was that one of the Menudo boys, who is now a grown man, Roy Rossello, was also abused by Jose Menendez and was never brought to justice,” Thornton said.

Thornton has been following the case since her jury service ended. She even wrote a book about her experiences and kept a close eye on new possible developments.

“One of the things people forget is how unfair the second trial was. “The judge changed many of his rulings from the first trial and did not allow evidence of abuse,” Thornton said.

She says this new evidence is the first real attempt at possible freedom for the brothers.

“I think if they are not released now, they never will be. I think now is the time and I'm cautiously optimistic that it will happen. “All the makings of a Menendez miracle are there,” Thornton said.