Letter from Erik Menendez: Read the letter sent to his cousin before the murders

CNN
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Lawyers representing Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are serving life sentences for the 1988 shooting deaths of their parents, are seeking to have their convictions overturned or resentenced, citing new evidence in the case.

Part of that evidence is a letter Erik wrote to his cousin Andy Cano in 1988, months before the murders, in which he alludes to abuse at the hands of his father. Although they have never denied killing their parents, the brothers claim they acted in self-defense and were physically and sexually abused by their father for years.

Read the letter below.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the aftermath of sexual assault, there are organizations that can help.

National Domestic Violence Hotline Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788

Available 24/7. Can connect callers to local resources and immediate support. Also available via the online chat tool.

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Provided by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Available 24/7. Also available via the online chat tool.

Crisis text line Text HOME to 741741

Available 24/7 for victims of abuse and other types of crises.

National Child Services Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453

Available 24/7 in 170 different languages.

A list of resources by state can be found here, provided by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Women's Health.