Lyle and Erik Menendez’s lawyer Leslie Abramson issues sad statement about murder case after refusing to appear in Netflix doc

Warning: This article discusses sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.

Despite opting not to appear in Netflix's newly-released documentary about the Menendez brothers' crimes, criminal defence lawyer Leslie Abramson issued a tear-jerking statement about the sentencing of Lyle and Erik.

Who are Lyle and Erik Menendez?

In 1989, the affluent, Beverly Hills brothers viciously murdered their parents José and Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez with a shotgun at close-range at their Los Angeles home.

The pair initially evaded capture - claiming the mafia were behind the crime - until Erik confessed to his therapist that the pair had acted out of self-defence, having been subjected to years of sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of their father - all the while their mother knew.

Recordings of the admission were apprehended by police and the boys were placed on trial.

Whilst Lyle was represented by criminal barrister Jill Lansing, Erik's lawyer was prolific solicitor Leslie Abramson.

Though both women famously fought with all their might to have the boys' either acquitted or their sentence diminished, the pair were eventually sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The brothers were sentenced in 1994 (Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)

Why is everyone talking about the crimes now?

Earlier this year, director Ryan Murphy announced that the Menendez brothers' story would be told in a new instalment of his Monsters series.

Following the nine-part drama's release last month, however, many were both horrified and heartbroken by the story.

The real-life Erik and Lyle also condemned the series, accusing producers at Netflix of having included 'blatant lies' and 'vile' portrayals of their characters.

On top of this, two newly-discovered pieces of evidence supporting their sexual abuse claims also mean that the pair may be retried in the future, following a hearing in November.

The new documentary and Leslie Abramson's statement

Shortly after the Netflix drama's controversial release, producers at the streaming service announced a follow-up documentary, which would hear Lyle and Erik tell their story again, for the first time in 34 years.

Ryan Murphy's crime-drama received mix reactions (Netflix)

After landing earlier today (7 October), viewers have been left startled by how many aspects of the case were omitted from the series.

And many have been left saddened by the real life brothers' accounts, after they spoke with producers via telephone direct from behind bars.

As well as interviews with countless members of the Menendez family, their close friends and officers involved in the murders, the feature-length film includes lawyers and experts, all of whom had a part to play all those years ago.

Naturally, therefore, viewers expected Leslie Abramson - who played a vital role in the Netflix drama - to have had her say on the case, also having been so vocal about the brothers' tragic sentencing at the time.

Leslie Abramson represented the brothers in court (Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)

Surprisingly, however, the end of the 1hr 58 minute documentary features a note, explaining that neither Leslie Abramson, Jill Lansing (Lyle's lawyer), or Dr Jerome Oziel (Erik's therapist) wished to be interviewed.

It adds, however, that Leslie did wish to supply a final statement on the matter, which read: "Thirty years is a long time. I'd like to leave the past in the past."

She continued: "No amount of media, nor teenage petitions will alter the fate of these clients. Only the court can do that and they have ruled."