MENUDO member Roy Rosselló has accused the Los Angeles district attorney of attempting to conceal the prosecution's past trial mistakes by dismissing the Menendez brothers' sexual abuse claims as "untrustworthy."
Rosselló, who came forward in 2023 with explosive allegations that he was sexually assaulted by RCA Records executive Jose Menendez at age 14, emphatically advocated for Erik and Lyle Menendez's release in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun.
Rosselló's haunting testimony in the Peacock documentary, Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, has played a critical role in Erik and Lyle Menendez's potential resentencing.
Former District Attorney George Gascón underscored two pieces of evidence to a judge when he recommended a resentencing of Erik, 54, and Lyle Menendez, 57, last year.
The recommendation came after an attorney for the brothers filed a habeas corpus petition, which included Rosselló's admission about his encounter with Jose in the 1980s, and a letter Erik wrote to his cousin months before the 1989 murders, in which he alludes to abuse by his father.
However, after Gascón lost re-election last November, the Menendez brothers' chance at freedom was derailed when District Attorney Nathan Hochman brutally opposed a potential resentencing.
In a February 21 press conference, Hochman broke down why he believed Erik's 1988 letter to his cousin, Andy Cano, and Rosselló's testimony are not enough to get the killers off free.
Hochman questioned the legitimacy of Erik's letter and characterized the brothers' sexual abuse claims as "untrustworthy."
The district attorney went as far as to say Rosselló's revelation was "not admissible" because it would have no bearing on the brothers when they killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
'JUSTICE FAILED'
"Sexual abuse in this situation may have been a motivation for Erik and Lyle to do what they did, but it does not constitute self-defense," Hochman said.
In an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun, Rosselló condemned Hochman's declaration and said justice failed Erik and Lyle.
"The D.A. want to cover the mistakes they did in the past," Rosselló said.
"One fatal mistake which was that society was not ready to understand that mens [sic] and boys are abused as well.
"And the society and the Justice Department never to [sic] saw and ignored the victims completely.
"But now, the mentality of people are changing."
Rosselló added, "How do us [sic] can to understand this [sic] horrible things happen to children in their own families and until nowadays the justice is [sic] fail!
"And reasons I have a lot to say why they should not be in jail. They never deserve to be in jail!
"What I would like to say, potential implications of this declarations is how might it impact the case, the victims, public perception, the consequences in the legal and social aspect.
"For him it is not 'untrustworthy' but for me it is! I was there!
"And it was not only once. But saying one more word to him [Hochman]: Don't want or try to be against God's purpose in the earth! Cause everything is happening accordingly God said."
'PROFOUND RESPONSIBILITY'
Rosselló, who was a member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo when they were signed to RCA Records in the 1980s, alleged that he was sexually abused by producer Edgardo Diaz and Jose Menendez.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating Diaz for allegedly sexually assaulting one of Menudo's members in the 1980s.
Diaz has denied Rosselló's accusations.
In the Peacock documentary, Rosselló, now 54, said he was 13 when he first met Jose.
"That's the man here, that raped me. This guy, that's the pedophile," Rosselló said of Jose in the 2023 documentary.
Rosselló said he had visited Jose at his New Jersey home and claimed he was handed a glass of wine before losing consciousness.
"I was in terrible pain for a week. I could barely stand the pain. I couldn't even move," Rosselló said tearfully before describing how he later woke up in a New York City hotel room, bleeding.
Lyle and Erik Menendez made similar claims during their highly publicized murder trial in the 1990s.
The brothers admitted to killing their parents, citing years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their father as the driving motive.
Rosselló expressed to The U.S. Sun how he feels that his testimony will contribute positively to Erik and Lyle's potential freedom.
"I feel a profound sense of responsibility and pride after my documentary Menendez + Menudo Boys Betrayed at Peacock, which has ignited new interest in the decades-long case," he said.
"I believe that every effort counts in the pursuit of justice, and I hope my actions will contribute positively to the brothers' potential freedom.
"My experience underscores the importance of advocacy in bringing about change and keeping critical issues in the public eye.
"I feel proud by recognizing how my documentary brought attention to the case, highlighting its significance."
The Los Angeles district attorney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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