As a seasoned courtroom observer with decades of experience under my belt, let me tell you, the Menendez brothers’ story is one for the history books. After following their trial closely, I must say I am not surprised by the jury’s verdict. The boys’ claims of abuse seemed more like an excuse than the truth, and it appears the jury saw through it as well.
Heads Up: In this piece, I’ll be revealing all the details from the concluding chapter of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Saga.
Following the ninth installment, the storyline of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez comes to an end, and what an impactful finale it proves to be.
In the penultimate episode of Ryan Murphy’s true crime series, the Menendez brothers found themselves facing a second trial due to the hung jury in the first one. Although this wasn’t the verdict they had hoped for, other aspects of their case allowed it to slip from the center stage.
Occasionally, the narrative unexpectedly shifts focus to the tale of OJ Simpson, a man who faced a murder trial in 1994 for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. The series finale starts by revisiting the contentious verdict in OJ’s case, and then moves on to 1995, where characters Lyle (Nicholas Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch) are seen preparing for another trial.
As a captivated viewer, I find myself immersed in this gripping series that delves deep into the legendary case that swept the globe, igniting our current fixation with true crime. It even poses an intriguing question to us viewers: Which characters among these events truly embody the monstrous nature?
However, let’s delve into the details of the concluding chapter of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, a fictionalized account presented by Netflix.
If you’re looking for what happened in the real-life story of the case, you can read that here.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story ending explained
The episode opens amidst the aftermath of the OJ Simpson verdict, casting a gloom over Leslie Abramson (Ari Gaynor), as she feels discouraged about their trial prospects. Contrastingly, Lyle is optimistic, believing the verdict presents an opportunity for them to proclaim their innocence in court and potentially regain freedom by creating a catchy slogan for their trial. However, he also confesses to penning letters soliciting donations and arranging for a new expensive wig to be sent to prison.
Following a heated dispute sparked by accusations towards each other, the second trial commences.
Due to the recent publication of The Private Diary of Lyle Menendez: In His Own Words!, Lyle’s legal team chooses not to call him as a witness, since he could be questioned about his conversations with the book’s author, Norma Novelli.
As the court case progresses swiftly, it becomes evident that the defense is facing setbacks. Abramson frequently objects to various statements made, yet the judge consistently rules against her objections.
During the court proceedings, a car dealer testified that upon receiving a car as a gift from his father, Lyle criticized it, referring to it as “junk.” This remark serves as evidence supporting the claim that Lyle exhibits behavior typical of a “spoiled brat.
Additionally, we learn from Craig Cignarelli (Charlie Hall) about an unrealized ‘Friends’ script they penned, which shares no similarities with the popular sitcom. Instead, it was a script focused on a character named Hamilton Cromwell, whose actions revolve around the murder of his parents.
Later, Craig mentions that Erik claimed he returned to the house during the murder nights to retrieve his ID for the cinema, as he noticed his parents were asleep. Once outside with Lyle, they concluded it was a good moment to enter the house and commit the murders.
When questioned about the movie “The Billionaire Boys Club”, Craig mentions that it was actually Erik who knew the story that the film is based on, as he learned it directly from their mutual friend Brian. This information about the story was shared by Brian 14 months before the murders of José and Kitty. Interestingly, Brian also revealed that Erik had been aware of his parents’ murder long before this, as he confessed that Brian told him about it. Furthermore, Brian explained how Lyle wrote him a letter from prison describing a false incident where they both watched “At Close Range” with Lyle and José.
Ultimately, Erik testifies and faces questioning from the defense team, recounting his fear for his own safety following his confession to Lyle about the years of physical abuse inflicted by his father. The prosecution asserts these claims of abuse are false and that the murders were planned in advance.
In court proceedings, the prosecution summons the individual responsible for maintaining the pool at the Menendez residence. This person declares that on the day preceding the murders, there was no apparent fear exhibited by the brothers towards their parents whatsoever.
In a similar vein, the boat captain asserted that the brothers appeared unfazed by their parents on the fateful day of the murders. Likewise, the live-in housekeeper at the Menendez residence, who spent five days there each week, attested that the household was not marked by loud arguments and disputes as the boys had suggested. Additionally, a colleague of José’s testified to his generally calm demeanor, stating that he wasn’t an angry individual.
In this trial, the defense argument of “abuse as an excuse” isn’t convincing the jury, who seem unconvinced this time. Dominick Dunne (portrayed by Nathan Lane) expresses his weariness with covering the case, indicating he plans to leave Los Angeles, and it seems the rest of the nation is growing weary of the Menendez brothers as well.
Through his storytelling to his friends, we learn that Lyle is in a committed relationship with Anna Eriksson and that Erik is having a rough time in prison, getting into fights and still in a relationship with Tammi Saccoman.
What happens to Erik and Lyle at the end of Monsters?
In the end, the jury decides that the brothers are responsible for two counts of premeditated murder and plotting to commit murder. After making their decision, the jury goes into a private room to discuss the appropriate punishment: either life imprisonment without parole or capital punishment. Inside the jury room, there is ongoing debate among the jurors about the brothers’ accounts and accusations of mistreatment. One juror experiences a heart attack during the deliberation process and is substituted by an alternate who appears unsure about how to vote.
In the end, the jury reaches a decision for a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Afterwards, Abramson works tirelessly to maintain the siblings in the same prison. However, when they return to their cells, both are informed that they will be transferred to different locations.
Initially, it seems like the brothers are traveling jointly, but in reality, they’re in distinct vehicles that ultimately take separate routes to various prisons. This left Erik puzzled because he expected them to stay together.
What happens in the boat scene at the end of Monsters?
Despite the appearance that the episode concludes with the brothers parting ways, we later travel back in time to the fateful day of the murders during the Menendez boat trip.
In their friendly chat about shark fishing, Kitty unexpectedly brings up José’s previous affair in New York. José acknowledges this was part of his past and expresses his deep affection for Kitty, stating they have moved beyond that point in their relationship. He also encourages her to return to journalism, considering his plans to run for Senate.
The duo appear cheerful and content as the scene shifts to show Lyle and Erik perched on the front of the boat, separated from their parents. Kitty inquires about Lyle and Erik from José, but they seem puzzled. Later, Erik queries Lyle: “Aren’t you backing out? We got the guns.
Lyle exclaims, “No, let’s definitely go for it,” and his brother echoes him, both of them gazing out at the ocean.
Watch “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” on Netflix right now! Subscribe to Netflix starting at just £4.99 per month, or stream it via Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream as well.
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2024-09-20 16:04