As a seasoned journalist who has covered countless cases over the years, I must say that the story of the Menendez brothers is one that has always intrigued me. The complexities of their situation, the allegations of abuse, and the trial that captivated the nation are all elements that make this case stand out.
Starting this September on Netflix, you’ll find the second part of Ryan Murphy’s Monster series titled “The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez.
The upcoming season is created by Murphy and Ian Brennan, known for the provocative Monster series focusing on Jeffrey Dahmer.
In this new installment, our true crime documentary will delve into the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who tragically murdered their parents in their residence located in Beverly Hills on the 20th of August, 1989.
At the trial concerning their parents’ murders, Jose and Kitty’s siblings pointed to a history of abuse as the motive behind the killings.
Lyle and Erik stated that they took action against those individuals due to their concern that their father might harm or kill them if they revealed his years of abusive behavior.
As the series has now become available on Netflix, a lot of people are curious about the fate of brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez.
Well, read on for everything you need to know about them.
Is Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story based on a true story?
Absolutely! The recently released Netflix show is inspired by a true story, focusing on the siblings Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were found guilty in 1996 for the killings of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Over nine episodes, Netflix’s series titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” delves into the case. According to the summary, while the prosecution believed they aimed to claim their family fortune, the brothers assert – and continue to insist even today, as they serve life sentences without parole option – that their actions were driven by a lifelong fear of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse inflicted upon them by their parents.
What happened to Lyle and Erik Menendez? True story behind Netflix’s Monsters
Without a doubt, the sensational true story of the Menendez brothers captivated people globally due to several compelling factors. Foremost among these was the curiosity about the details surrounding the deaths of José and Kitty, along with the unusual behavior of the brothers following the killings.
On August 20th, 1989, evening fell over their Beverly Hills residence, where Lyle and Erik arrived armed with shotguns. They tragically murdered their parents. In the end, Kitty was struck by ten bullets, while José received six, one of which proved fatal and struck the back of his head.
Following the shootings, the siblings chose to stay inside the house, believing that the arrival of the police was imminent, given the loud sounds of gunfire.
After the authorities arrived, the siblings shared with them that they spent their entire evening at the movie theater watching Batman, followed by a visit to the Taste of LA Festival.
Following the incident, they claimed they went back home only to discover their parents brutally killed. Trusting their account, the authorities didn’t request gun residue analysis from the siblings and instead initiated an inquiry into the murders of Kitty and José.
Following their demise, the Menendez brothers led extravagant lifestyles and spent money excessively.
Beyond simply acquiring numerous high-end goods, these brothers also ventured globally, invested in restaurants, and even purchased adjacent properties in Marina del Rey. The media stated that, combined, their expenses amounted to approximately $700,000, prior to their eventual apprehension.
Excessive spending by them raised eyebrows among the police, as they were attempting to identify individuals with a potential motive for murdering José and Kitty.
Initially, there was a suspicion that organized crime played a role, but their focus shifted towards the brothers, as it became apparent that they had a strong financial incentive behind the murders.
The authorities enlisted the aid of Erik’s buddy, Craig Cignarelli, instructing him to conceal a wire and inquire directly from Erik if he had committed the murder of his parents. Initially, Erik denied it, but eventually admitted to the crime to his psychologist, Jerome Oziel.
However, it was only after Oziel shared Erik’s confession with his mistress, Judalon Smyth, that a significant advancement occurred in the investigation. The two were involved in an affair, but when their relationship ended due to Smyth’s anger, she decided to report what Oziel had told her about Erik to the authorities.
In 1990, six months following the murders of José and Kitty, Lyle was apprehended on March 8th. Shortly afterward, on the third day following his brother’s arrest, Erik surrendered to the police after returning from Israel.
1993 saw the U.S. public captivated by the sensational trial, with Court TV airing it live daily. Interestingly, the brothers stood trial for their individual offenses, yet both asserted that they had acted in self-defense when they took the lives of their parents.
Why did Lyle and Erik Menendez kill their parents?
The brothers stated that they had killed their parents in self-defence.
They shared that they lived in constant dread due to enduring years of mistreatment, primarily inflicted by their father, Jose, whom they alleged had subjected them to sexual abuse over a prolonged period.
At the court hearing, Lyle provided detailed accounts of the suspected mistreatment by his father, and he also mentioned that he had recently challenged José regarding the sexual assault of Erik a few days prior to the homicide.
The accusations of sexual abuse were supported by two family members: Andy Cano and Diane Vander Molen, who are cousins of the brothers. Cano stated that Erik disclosed the abuse to him when they were young, while Molen claimed she informed Kitty about an instance where José was accused of sexual misconduct towards Lyle. Molen further mentioned that at the time, Kitty told her the allegations were untrue.
The legal team asserted that the siblings were motivated by financial benefits rather than self-protection when they allegedly murdered their parents. However, the initial court cases concluded inconclusively in 1994 due to tied juries, leading to a mistrial.
In 1995, the second trial took place with a notable difference: This time, the brothers faced charges jointly, and Judge Stanley Weisberg prohibited television cameras from the courtroom, ensuring a less publicized trial.
Once more, the defense referenced long-standing mistreatment, while the prosecution portrayed the brothers as “cruel, pampered youngsters”.
In simpler terms, Weisberg restricted his testimony regarding the accusations of brotherly mistreatment and exclusively enabled the jury to weigh in on a murder verdict, not one for manslaughter.
In March 21st, 1996, Lyle and Erik were convicted for their roles in two counts of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder. As a result, they were each given back-to-back life sentences in prison, meaning they are not eligible for parole.
In their judgement, the jury acknowledged that the allegations of mistreatment didn’t influence their specific decision-making process. However, they chose not to issue a death sentence because the defendants had no prior criminal records.
Where are Lyle and Erik Menendez now?
In 2018, it was permitted for the brothers to serve their sentences together in a San Diego prison, having previously been separated and incarcerated separately.
For the first time in nearly 22 years, those brothers found themselves living in the same apartment, a significant reunion indeed.
Over the years, the brothers have filed many appeals, but all have been denied.
In the previous year, the Menendez brothers put forth an appeal for a fresh trial utilizing recently obtained evidence. This evidence, as reported, encompassed testimony from Roy Rosselló, a former boy-band member, who asserted in a documentary that he too was sexually assaulted by José Menendez when he was only 14 years old.
In May 2023, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office informed CNN that they have obtained the habeas petition regarding the Menendez case and are now examining it thoroughly.
Currently, two brothers offer guidance to fellow prisoners who have experienced sexual abuse, with one brother, Erik, taking charge of several support groups within the prison system. This information is based on reports from journalist Robert Rand, who has been following this case since 1989 and has shared additional insights with A&E True Crime.
Besides being brothers, Lyle is wed to Rebecca Sneed, a former journalist turned attorney, while Erik tied the knot with Tammi Saccoman, his pen pal from prison, and they share a child together.
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2024-09-19 10:34