Personal essay: Kim Kardashian says it's time to free the Menendez brothers

We are all products of our experiences. They shape who we were, who we are and who we will be. Physiologically and psychologically, time changes us, and I doubt anyone would claim to be the same person at 18. I know I'm not!

You think you know the story of Lyle and Eric Menendez. I certainly thought I did: In 1989, brothers, ages 21 and 18 respectively, shot and killed their parents in their Beverly Hills home. In 1996, after two trials, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As is often the case, this story is much more complicated than it appears on the surface. The two brothers said they were sexually, physically and emotionally abused by their parents for years. According to Lyle, the abuse began when he was just 6 years old, and Eric said he was molested by his father for more than a decade. After years of abuse and genuine fear for their lives, Eric and Lyle chose what they thought was their only way out at the time – an unimaginable escape from their living nightmare.

Their first trial was heard before two separate juries, one for each brother. Their claims of abuse form the basis of their defense, with family members testifying on their behalf. After hearing this evidence, more than half of the 24 jurors voted not guilty on the murder charges, leading to a frustrated jury and mistrials widely seen as a blow to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

Soon, the case of the Menendez brothers would follow another high-profile murder case handled by the same DA's office. More than four months after the Menendez mistrial, OJ Simpson was charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Then, eight days after Simpson's acquittal, Eric and Lyle's second trial began with opening arguments.

However, this time, the judge changed the rules: both brothers were tried together before a single jury, most of the abuse evidence was deemed inadmissible, and murder was no longer an option. Some witnesses in the first trial were barred from testifying about the alleged abuse, depriving jurors of crucial evidence. The prosecutor, having successfully argued to exclude evidence of abuse, mocked the brothers' defense during his closing argument for not presenting any evidence of abuse.

Their lawyers have since said the judge's rulings essentially served as a “directed” ruling. And so, the brothers were found guilty. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and have been incarcerated for nearly 35 years. Death is now the only way to release them from prison.

The first trial was televised for all to see, and Eric and Lyle's case became entertainment for the nation, their stories of torment and abuse mocked in skits on “Saturday Night Live.” The media has turned the brothers into monsters and sensational eye candy — two arrogant, rich kids from Beverly Hills who killed their parents for greed. There was no room for sympathy, let alone sympathy.

Eric and Lyle had no chance of a fair trial against this backdrop. Back then, there were limited resources for victims of sexual abuse, especially boys. There were virtually no systems in place to support survivors, and public awareness of the trauma of male sexual assault was minimal, often clouded by preconceived judgment and homophobia. Can anyone honestly deny that the justice system will deal with Menendez sister More politely? Despite overwhelming family testimony admitting Eric and Lyle's abuse, the public remained skeptical. Robbed of their childhoods by their parents, then robbed of any chance at freedom by a criminal justice system eager to punish without considering context or understanding “why” and without caring whether the punishment fits the crime, Eric and Lyle begin trial. Condemned earlier.

According to Eric and Lyle, they were physically, sexually and emotionally abused by their parents from childhood and their father repeatedly raped them when they were little boys. Many people believe the crimes the brothers committed are unforgivable — but what about the decades of alleged abuse they suffered as children?

I spent time with Lyle and Eric; They are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent and honest men. In prison, they both have exemplary disciplinary records. They've earned multiple college degrees, worked as caregivers for elderly inmates in hospices and mentored college programs — committed to giving back to others. When I visited the prison three weeks ago, a warden told me that he would be comfortable having them as neighbors. 24 family members, including their parents' siblings, released statements in full support of Lyle and Eric and respectfully pleaded with the justice system to set them free.

Murder is unforgivable. I want to make it clear. Neither is their behavior before, during or after the crime. But we should not deny that they are in their 50s today. The trial and punishment these brothers received was more fitting for a serial killer than for two men who endured years of sexual abuse by people they loved and trusted. I do not believe that spending their completely normal lives in prison was an appropriate sentence for this complex case. If this crime were committed and prosecuted today, I believe the outcome would be dramatically different. I also strongly believe that they were denied a fair second trial and that the exclusion of important abuse evidence denied Eric and Lyle the opportunity to fully present their case, further undermining the justification for their convictions.

With their case back in the spotlight — and considering the release of a 1988 letter from Eric describing the abuse to his cousin — my hope is that Eric and Lyle Menendez's life sentences will be reconsidered.

We owe it to the little boys who lost their childhoods, who never had a chance to be heard, helped or saved.