The Menendez brothers' uncle says they shouldn't be released

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Describing them as victims rather than villains, relative after relative called for the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving life behind bars for the 1989 murders of their parents in Beverly Hills.

A news conference Wednesday in Los Angeles was the largest gathering of the multigenerational family since the brothers' conviction.

But not every family member believes the brothers should be released. Kathy Cady is a victims' rights attorney representing Milton Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez.

“Mr. Andersen is adamant that his nephews were not abused,” Cady told Eyewitness News. “He thinks it’s a fake and believes the motive was pure greed.”

Then-21-year-old Lyle Menendez and then-18-year-old Erik Menendez admitted they fatally shot their father, Jose Menendez, an entertainment executive, and their mother, Kitty Menendez, but said they feared their parents would kill them, to prevent the disclosure of Erik's long-term sexual abuse by his father.

Prosecutors at the time claimed there was no evidence of harassment and many details of her sexual abuse story were not admitted in the trial that led to her conviction. The public prosecutor then explained that the sons were after their parents' estate worth millions.

Cady says Andersen, now 90, wants the brothers to stay in prison and serve their life sentences, at least for killing his younger sister.

“At the time of the trial, one of the brothers said, at least in the appeals court's opinion, that killing her was, quote, a mercy killing,” Cady said.

The latest attempt to free the brothers comes after the couple's lawyer presented new evidence that he claims proves their father sexually abused them.

But Cady says the lawsuit was filed over a year ago and District Attorney George Gascón is now using the case to gain political support as the election approaches.

“Mr. Andersen just wants to make sure that any decision that is made is not politically motivated, but that it is truly made for the right reasons,” Cady said.

Cady also says — contrary to California law — Andersen was brushed aside by prosecutors and did not provide any information about the fate of his sister's killers.

Gascón's office declined to comment on Andersen's lack of engagement.

“Mr. “Andersen understands that he won’t be the one who can make the final decision, but he wants to make sure that the person who makes that final decision doesn’t forget about him,” Cady said.

Andersen's lawyer says they sent a letter to Gascón requesting a meeting with the prosecutor before a decision is made. You haven't received an answer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.