Menendez brothers' family blames graphic courtroom photo for aunt's hospitalization
The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez is calling for the L.A. County DA's Office to be removed from the brothers' case after they claimed the use of a graphic photo in a court hearing caused the brothers' aunt to be hospitalized.
The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez is calling for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to be removed from the brothers' case, claiming the use of a graphic photo at a court hearing Friday caused the brothers' aunt to be hospitalized.
In a statement released Sunday by the Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition — "a family-led initiative advocating for the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez" — the family called on the DA's office to take accountability for what it called "a disturbing and reckless decision" during the hearing that they said "has had a detrimental impact on the victims' family."
"In open court, and without any prior warning, prosecutors displayed an unredacted, graphic image of José Menendez's lifeless body — an act that retraumatized family members in attendance and led to the hospitalization of José's 85-year-old sister, Terry Baralt, who is now in critical condition," the statement said.
The exact reason for Baralt's hospitalization was not immediately clear.
"Terry, who is battling cancer, came to court to support her family. No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews," the family statement said. "But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink. By early this morning, she was rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition."
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