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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 via a recent lens, Lyle and Erik have been given the chance for resentencing and a doable launch within the close to future. HollywoodLife has compiled all the newest 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 dwelling an opulent way of life within the months following their mother and father’ deaths. Erik finally 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 for parole.
Are the Menendez Brothers Nonetheless Alive?
Lyle and Erik have been despatched to separate California prisons following their conviction. Each are nonetheless alive right now 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 Identical 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 late September, Lyle and Erik may obtain new sentences as a consequence of a habeas corpus petition. Though they’ve beforehand appealed their convictions, new developments have emerged, together with accusations of sexual abuse towards 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, Los Angeles District Legal professional George Gascón confirmed {that a} new courtroom listening to had been scheduled for Lyle and Erik. At a press convention, the DA acknowledged, “We have now 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 acquired 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.”
On Monday, Nov. 25, Lyle and Erik will seem in courtroom for the primary time in 28 years to evaluate new proof associated to their case. The listening to, which is scheduled as a standing convention, is just not anticipated to lead to any selections. Nonetheless, it may affect the subsequent steps of their ongoing efforts to safe launch.
The brothers might seem both nearly or in individual, with Choose Michael Jesic deciding how they’ll take part. The listening to will start at 10:30 a.m. native time. Strict restrictions will even be in place for the listening to: No cameras can be allowed within the courtroom, and all cell telephones have to be positioned in sealed baggage.
Will the Menendez Brothers Be Launched?
Gascón filed a movement on Oct. 30 supporting the Menendez brothers’ request for clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom. In a press release, he expressed, “I strongly help clemency for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who’re presently serving life sentences with out the potential for parole. They’ve served 34 years and have continued their schooling whereas working to create packages that help the rehabilitation of fellow inmates.”
Describing the brothers as “mannequin prisoners,” Gascón advised 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 may very well be house in time for Thanksgiving.
Nonetheless, Gascón is now not the district legal professional. He was unseated by Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor. Hochman advised CNN on Wednesday that he would want time to evaluate case recordsdata earlier than taking a place on the resentencing. Hochman takes workplace on December 2, and a listening to on resentencing is scheduled for December 11.
“I should evaluate the confidential jail recordsdata for every brother, the transcripts from each trials, and converse to the prosecutors, legislation enforcement, protection counsel, and the victims’ members of the family. Solely then can I decide. If for some cause I would like extra time, I’ll ask the courtroom for that point.”
“If I ask for a delay, it gained’t be a delay for delay’s sake as a result of I believe the Menendez brothers, the sufferer members of the family, the general public should have a call finished as quickly as it may be finished in an intensive method,” Hochman added.
What Did the Menendez Brothers Say About ‘Monsters’?
Shortly after Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was launched on Netflix, Erik launched a press release 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 finished 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 info of our lives in order to do that with out unhealthy 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 must be sending me flowers,” Ryan advised 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 all around the world. There’s kind of an outpouring of curiosity of their lives and within the case. … I do know for a incontrovertible 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 advised “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 case you or anybody you recognize has been sexually abused, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A skilled employees member will present confidential, judgment-free help in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
