While the Kardashians star called for a reevaluation of the brothers’ case—in which they were found guilty of first degree murder following two jury trials—she did not absolve them of their misdeeds.
“The killings are not excusable. I want to make that clear,” the 43-year-old added. “Nor is their behavior before, during or after the crime. But we should not deny who they are today in their 50s.”
Kim also explained that Erik and Lyle have made allegations that they had been “sexually, physically and emotionally abused for years by their parents,” so she believes they did “what they thought at the time was their only way out” in killing the couple.
“I don’t believe that spending their entire natural lives incarcerated was the right punishment for this complex case,” she continued. “Had this crime been committed and trialed today, I believe the outcome would have been dramatically different.”
The essay came on the same day as Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that prosecutors are reviewing the case to determine if the brothers should be resentenced. Gascón’s office is also reviewing potential new evidence which could support the brothers’ allegation that they were physically and sexually abused by their father.