Practically 30 years in the past, Rosie O’Donnell acquired a letter from Lyle Menendez after seeing her on “Larry King Stay.” A letter from Lyle Menendez stating that she believed Erik’s declare that they have been molested by their father.
“I used to be out having lunch with Barbara Waters and our publicist, Cindy Berger, and I stated, ‘Barbara, you are not going to imagine this, however guess who wrote me — Menendez,” O’Donnell recalled. “Barbara stated, ‘Ignore him, he is a assassin. He is very crafty.
Waters had beforehand interviewed Lyle and his brother Eric “20/20” from jail.
O’Donnell adopted her recommendation. However two years in the past, when a documentary was launched that offered new proof that Lyle and Eric had been molested by their father, O’Donnell publicly supported the siblings on social media and within the press. “I acquired a name from Lyle’s spouse – I did not even know he had a spouse – asking me if I wished to speak to him,” O’Donnell stated. “He referred to as me final Mom’s Day.”
Lyle and Eric are at the moment serving life sentences with out the potential of parole for the 1989 murders of their mother and father, Jose and Kitty.
O’Donnell and Lyle grew to become good associates. “We talked lots,” O’Donnell stated. “I advised them that regardless of how their fame waned, I’d do no matter I might to convey mild to their tales. I stated, ‘This isn’t the ’90s, Lyle. I am not on that present anymore. I feel when you’re proper Really feel strongly about one thing and also you need to try to assist society, you should utilize your voice as a result of youngsters who’re being abused at residence do not have a voice and the adults who have been the youngsters ought to converse up for them.
When O’Donnell visited Lyle in jail in San Diego final yr, she grew to become emotional when speaking about her assembly with him. “I noticed Lyle and gave him a hug,” she stated, preventing again tears. “Then Eric got here as much as me, hugged me and whispered in my ear, ‘Thanks for loving me brother.'” That was very, very touching to me.
I spoke with O’Donnell a day after a court docket listening to was introduced for Eric and Lyle, as Los Angeles District Lawyer George Gascón considers new proof that they have been allegedly molested by their father. In the meantime, Ryan Murphy’s Netflix collection “Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story” continues to generate new curiosity within the case.
What was your response once you heard in regards to the DA and the brand new court docket hearings?
These guys and their attorneys gave me some warnings. So I knew it was coming. I am very excited. From speaking to them, I do know that they do not even dare to hope that that is really the case. As quickly because the information got here out, I texted them and stated, “That is actually occurring. Now, put a smile in your face. Right here goes. That is what they have been ready for for many years and now’s the time. I feel , it’s time for us as a society to say, “We made a mistake, we didn’t perceive what we perceive at the moment. “It is type of a miracle, but it surely’s price it. I am very excited for them.
When was the final time you spoke to Lyle?
final evening.
How are they?
They’re very excited. They’re very completely satisfied. I joined cheerleading two years in the past. I advised them, “You are getting out of there.” They did not actually imagine me, however I believed the flawed could be righted. They nonetheless do not need to imagine that is occurring.
Did you all the time suppose today would come?
In truth, I did so due to new proof. In 1989 or the early Nineties, our tradition was merely not prepared to speak about this matter. However we have been via lots as a rustic in 35 years. As a society, we now perceive that boys are in actual fact sexually abused at extraordinarily excessive charges, nearly on the similar fee as ladies. So it is a mistake to suppose that males would not do that to little boys.
When do you suppose they are going to be launched?
Higher sooner than later.
Ryan Murphy advised me yesterday that he thought they is likely to be out earlier than Christmas.
I’d be shocked if it was throughout the subsequent 30 days. I do not suppose they will preserve them ready too lengthy. Ryan supplies a service to them by hurting them. [O’Donnell previously criticized “Monsters” as being inaccurate.] Ryan is a gifted filmmaker along with his personal model and stamp. I simply don’t know if this example, this true story, would essentially be in his wheelhouse.
However you’ll be able to see how the present might focus extra on the case and doubtlessly transfer issues ahead.
I feel everybody who introduced it to consideration needs to be recommended, together with Monster. I am glad this occurred. I am not saying it helps or does not assist folks. All I do know is that, in my view, it might have been extra correct.
Have you ever turn out to be their surrogate mom?
In a method, I really feel like an enormous sister. Lyle is among the most embellished inmates within the California jail system. You may’t ignore this. If he was a psycho and loopy particular person yelling at everybody, would he present hospice care to dying prisoners? Would he have carried out all of the issues he did that finally led him to maneuver from San Francisco to reside along with his brother as a result of he hadn’t had a single infraction in ten years? For 35 years, nobody has been capable of disguise their psychological sickness so properly. Each of them have been extraordinary prisoners, and that is fairly damning testimony.
What affect do you suppose Kim Kardashian would have by advocating for his or her launch?
I feel that is superior. She is among the most well-known folks on the earth and calls for a whole lot of media consideration. I’ve by no means met her. I do not know her. I feel it is a good factor that she’s supporting sure causes in her personal method, and extra folks ought to try this once they imagine in one thing. I feel she has now helped the DA come to that conclusion. There have been many postponements since they have been postponed for over a yr. They’ve had this folder, all of the proof, all of the information for a yr, but it surely did not occur till Ryan Murphy and Kim Kardashian – give them credit score in any method they need. Nice for them.
Do you need to contact Kim?
I do not know what to do. Possibly I might name Kathy Griffin and get her telephone quantity [Laughs.]
If Lyle and Eric have been launched, would you be ready for them exterior the jail?
If they need me there, after all. However I do not need to cloud issues. Their households have been ready for them. All their mom’s family, all their cousins, about 70 folks have been ready for the household to return. I am completely satisfied to fulfill them or take them to dinner. That is going to be a really, very troublesome transition. After 35 years in jail, they are going to want a whole lot of remedy to determine tips on how to reside on the earth.
The place would you are taking them for dinner?
I all the time advised Lyle I’d take him to Nobu as a result of he thought that was the place to be. Generally, I’d chat with him within the night and I’d say that my associates and I went to Nobu for lunch. I’d say, “Man, once you get out, I am going to take you to Nobu.” I used to be speaking to him sooner or later and he stated, “When are we going to Nobu?” I stated, “Ahead of you suppose.”
This Q&A has been edited and condensed for size and readability.
