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Monsters: The Lyle an Erik Menendez Story has introduced newfound consideration to Erik Menendez and Lyle Menéndez‘s case. The brothers have been imprisoned since 1996 for the murder of their parents, José Menéndez and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez, whom Lyle and Erik accused of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Now that a new generation is looking at their story with a new lens, could the brothers’ case be reopened? Hollywood Life has compiled all the particulars and updates about their incarceration, beneath.
Why Did Lyle and Erik Menendez Kill Jose and Kitty?
In August 1989, Lyle and Erik fatally shot their mother and father a number of instances. The crime scene was grotesque since José was struck six instances and Kitty was shot 10 instances. The brothers had been criticized for dwelling an expensive way of life in 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 in the crime, and they had been arrested in 1990.
After a mistrial, Lyle and Erik had been formally convicted on two counts of first-degree homicide and conspiracy to homicide in 1996. They had been sentenced to life in jail with out the chance of parole.
Are the Menendez Brothers Nonetheless Alive?
Lyle and Erik had been despatched to separate California prisons following their conviction. Each are nonetheless alive as we speak and will communicate out about their case in Netflix’s upcoming documentary, The Menendez Brothers, which premieres on October 7, 2024.
Are Lyle and Erik Menendez in the Identical Jail?
The brothers had been held in separate prisons till 2018 when Lyle was moved to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. Although they had been initially housed in separate models of the jail, Lyle and Erik had been positioned in the identical unit in 2018. This was the first time the brothers had reunited in 22 years. In line with a number of shops, Lyle and Erik had been prevented from speaking to one another on the telephone earlier than they had been reunited.
Is the Menendez Case Being Reopened?
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Lyle and Erik might obtain a brand new sentence resulting from a habeas corpus petition. Though they’ve already appealed their convictions earlier than, their late father was just lately accused of sexual abuse by a band member of Menudo. Moreover, new proof has come to gentle doubtlessly proving that José had abused each of his sons.
In October 2024, Los Angeles District Legal professional George Gascón confirmed {that a} new court docket listening to has been set for Lyle and Erik. Per Selection, the listening to is scheduled for November 29, 2024.
“We have been given evidence,” George mentioned at throughout press convention, in response to the outlet. “We have been given a photocopy of a letter that allegedly was sent by one of the brothers to another family member talking about him being the victim of molestation. We’ve also got evidence that was provided by the defense, by his lawyers, that one of the members of the Menudo band alleged that he was molested by the father.”
Nonetheless, George famous that “none” of the submitted proof has been “confirmed.”
“We are not at this point ready to say that we either believe or do not believe that information, but we’re here to tell you is that we have a moral and an ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us and make a determination based on a resentencing side, whether they deserve to be resentenced — even though they were clearly the murderers — because they have been in prison for years and they have paid back their dues to society,” he continued in his assertion. “If there was evidence that was not presented to the court at that time, and had that evidence been presented, perhaps a jury would have come to a different conclusion.”
The court docket listening to opens up the chance for a retrial or a resentencing for Erik and Lyle.
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 sequence for its portrayal of him and his brother.
“I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show,” Erik famous. “I can only believe they were done so on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.”
In response to Erik and his household’s criticism of the present, Monster anthology co-creator Ryan Murphy slammed them for “playing the victim card.”
“The Menéndez brothers should be sending me flowers,” Ryan instructed THR in September 2024. “They haven’t had so much attention in 30 years. And it’s gotten the attention of not only this country, but all over the world. There’s sort of an outpouring of interest in their lives and in the case. … I know for a fact that many people have offered to help them because of the interest of my show and what we did,”
Ryan additionally identified that with Monsters, he instructed “a story that was a very broad canvas,” referring to Lyle and Erik’s protection lawyer, Leslie Abramson, author Dominick Dunne and the backstory of José and Kitty.
“We were also telling the story of the parents, who they blew their heads off,” Ryan added. “We had an obligation to so many people, not just to Erik and Lyle. But that’s what I find so fascinating; that they’re playing the victim card right now — ‘poor, pitiful us’ — which I find reprehensible and disgusting.”
If you happen to or anybody you recognize has been sexually abused, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A educated employees member will present confidential, judgment-free assist in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
