Psychiatric nurse who testified in 1st Menendez trial reacts to prosecutor's decision

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A psychiatric nurse and forensic expert who testified in the Menendez brothers' first trial says the Los Angeles County district attorney's decision to push through a resentencing recommendation for the duo was something she has been seeing since have been demanding for a long time.

ABC 10News reporter Spencer Soicher brought Dr. Anne Burgess shared the news on Thursday afternoon.

“This is definitely not just about money,” she said.

Burgess rushed home from the class she was teaching at Boston College to talk to Soicher. The Zoom call took place just as LA District Attorney George Gascón's announcement arrived.

“I just got home – what happened?” Burgess asked.

“They recommend a resentencing,” Soicher replied.

“Excellent, excellent, excellent,” Burgess said.

In the 90s, Dr. Burgess asked to question the brothers and determine whether they had been abused by their father. She firmly believes that Thursday's resentencing recommendation is correct.

“I testified for Erik Menendez and felt like we did our best and was really surprised that they didn't reach a verdict in the first trial,” she said. “I did not take part in the second trial.”

The issue of abuse was not addressed in the men's second trial, which ended in their conviction. Burgess doesn't believe the motive was money. She spent 50 hours interviewing Eric Menendez before the trial.

She saw what was written in the letter that initiated the review.

“Resentencing is the right thing to do,” Burgess said. “I’m relieved and happy for her.”

Burgess said she would like to reconnect with the brothers if they are released.

“I would like to hear how they are doing because, you know, it will be an adjustment when they are released,” she said.