Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story introduced renewed consideration to the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez. The brothers have been imprisoned since 1996 for the murders of their mother and father, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez, whom they accused of bodily, emotional, and sexual abuse.
With a brand new era reexamining their story by a contemporary lens, Lyle and Erik have been given the chance for resentencing and a doable launch within the close to future. Hollywood Life has compiled all the most recent particulars and updates on their incarceration beneath.
Why Did the Menendez Brothers Homicide Their Mother and father?
In August 1989, Lyle and Erik fatally shot their mother and father a number of occasions. The crime scene was ugly since José was struck six occasions and Kitty was shot 10 occasions. The brothers have been criticized for residing an opulent way of life within the months following their mother and father’ deaths. Erik ultimately confessed to the murders to his therapist, Jerome Oziel, who confided in his then-mistress, Judalon Smyth. She knowledgeable police about Lyle and Erik’s involvement within the crime, they usually have been arrested in 1990.
After a mistrial, Lyle and Erik have been formally convicted on two counts of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to homicide in 1996. They have been sentenced to life in jail with out the potential of parole.
Are the Menendez Brothers Nonetheless Alive?
Lyle and Erik have been despatched to separate California prisons following their conviction. Each are nonetheless alive at this time and spoke out about their case in Netflix’s new documentary, The Menendez Brothers, which premiered on October 7, 2024.
Are Lyle and Erik within the Similar Jail?
The brothers have been held in separate prisons till 2018 when Lyle was moved to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. Although they have been initially housed in separate items of the jail, Lyle and Erik have been positioned in the identical unit in 2018. This was the primary time the brothers had reunited in 22 years. In keeping with a number of retailers, Lyle and Erik have been prevented from speaking to one another on the cellphone earlier than they have been reunited.
Was the Menendez Case Reopened?
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter in September 2024, Lyle and Erik might obtain new sentences because of a habeas corpus petition. Though they’ve beforehand appealed their convictions, new developments have emerged, together with accusations of sexual abuse in opposition to their father, José, by a former Menudo member Roy Rosselló. Moreover, new proof has surfaced suggesting that José might have abused each of his sons.
In October 2024, then-Los Angeles District Lawyer George Gascón confirmed {that a} new court docket listening to had been scheduled for Lyle and Erik. At a press convention, the DA said, “We now have been given a photocopy of a letter that allegedly was despatched by one of many brothers to a different member of the family speaking about him being the sufferer of molestation. We’ve additionally obtained proof that was offered by the protection, by his attorneys, that one of many members of the Menudo band alleged that he was molested by the daddy.”
A resentencing listening to for Lyle and Erik is scheduled to happen on March 20 and 21, 2025. Whereas their fates are left as much as the court docket, new Los Angeles District Lawyer Nathan Hochman mentioned he doesn’t advocate a resentencing for the brothers and claimed they’ve been telling “lies” for many years.
“In taking a look at whether or not they have exhibited full perception and full accountability for his or her crimes, they haven’t,” Hochman alleged, earlier than including that Erik and Lyle “shouldn’t get out of jail.”
Will the Menendez Brothers Be Launched?
Gascón filed a movement in October 2024 supporting the Menendez brothers’ request for clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom. In an announcement, he expressed, “I strongly assist clemency for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who’re presently serving life sentences with out the potential of parole. They’ve served 34 years and have continued their training whereas working to create packages that assist the rehabilitation of fellow inmates.”
Describing the brothers as “mannequin prisoners,” Gascón instructed CNN that he believes there’s a sturdy chance they might be granted parole if the case reaches the parole board. An legal professional for one of many brothers expressed hope that they could possibly be dwelling in time for Thanksgiving.
Nonetheless, now that Gascón is not the district legal professional, Hochman might shake up the resentencing efforts for Lyle and Erik.
What Did the Menendez Brothers Say About ‘Monsters’?
Shortly after Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was launched on Netflix, Erik launched an announcement condemning the collection for its portrayal of him and his brother.
“I believed we had moved past the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, making a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant within the present,” Erik famous. “I can solely consider they have been executed so on goal. It’s with a heavy coronary heart that I say, I consider Ryan Murphy can’t be this naive and inaccurate concerning the details of our lives in order to do that with out dangerous intent.”
In response to Erik and his household’s criticism of the present, Monster anthology co-creator Ryan Murphy slammed them for “taking part in the sufferer card.”
“The Menéndez brothers ought to be sending me flowers,” Ryan instructed THR in September 2024. “They haven’t had a lot consideration in 30 years. And it’s gotten the eye of not solely this nation, however everywhere in the world. There’s form of an outpouring of curiosity of their lives and within the case. … I do know for a indisputable fact that many individuals have supplied to assist them due to the curiosity of my present and what we did,”
Ryan additionally identified that with Monsters, he instructed “a narrative that was a really broad canvas,” referring to Lyle and Erik’s protection legal professional, Leslie Abramson, author Dominick Dunne and the backstory of José and Kitty.
“We have been additionally telling the story of the mother and father, who they blew their heads off,” Ryan added. “We had an obligation to so many individuals, not simply to Erik and Lyle. However that’s what I discover so fascinating; that they’re taking part in the sufferer card proper now — ‘poor, pitiful us’ — which I discover reprehensible and disgusting.”
In the event you or anybody you already know has been sexually abused, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A skilled workers member will present confidential, judgment-free assist in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
