The evil Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, are the focus of Netflix’s highly anticipated Season 2 of ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story‘. After the massive success of the first season centered on Jeffrey Dahmer, the streaming giant renewed the series for two more seasons. This time, creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan turn their attention to the chilling true story of two wealthy brothers who shocked the nation with their heinous crime in the late 1980s.
The details of the Menendez brothers’ case are both shocking and complex, involving claims of abuse, greed, and a desperate attempt to escape their dark past. So, what pushed these brothers to such extremes? And what has become of them since their infamous trial?
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The Brutal Murders That Shook Beverly Hills
On the night of August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez shot and killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in the family room of their Beverly Hills mansion, according to CBS News. The Menéndez brothers used shotguns to shoot them numerous times. But rather than fleeing, the brothers stayed in the house and called 9-1-1, with Lyle dramatically screaming, “Someone killed my parents!” during the call.
When the police arrived, Lyle and Erik spun a tale of innocence, claiming they had just returned home to find their parents brutally murdered. At first, law enforcement bought their story, directing their investigation toward other possible suspects.
However, as time went on, the brothers’ behavior raised red flags. Instead of grieving, Lyle and Erik went on a spending spree, blowing nearly $700,000 of their parents’ fortune on luxury items like Rolex watches, expensive meals, and even real estate.
The Sensational Trials Of Lyle And Erik Menendez
Nearly a year after the murders, the facade came crashing down. In March 1990, Judalon Smyth, the girlfriend of the brothers’ psychologist, tipped off the police. She revealed that Lyle and Erik had confessed to the murders during a therapy session. This confession, captured on tape, was the final nail in the coffin.
On March 8, 1990, Lyle was arrested outside his parents’ mansion. While Erik surrendered to the authorities a few days later upon returning from Israel.
The first trial ended in a hung jury, but the second trial, which combined the brothers’ cases, led to their conviction. The judge in the second trial significantly limited the defense’s ability to present evidence of abuse.
The prosecution capitalized on this by portraying the brothers as cold-blooded killers who murdered their parents for financial gain. Lyle and Erik were ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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Why Did The Menéndez Brothers Killed Their Parents
During their trials, Lyle and Erik took the stand and detailed the sexual abuse they allegedly endured at the hands of their parents since 6 years old up to the days before the murders. Lyle said his father stopped abusing him when he was 8, while the abuse continued for Erik until the murders. They alleged that their father, José Menendez, had sexually, physically, and psychologically abused them for years. And that their mother, Kitty, was complicit in the abuse.
The Menéndez brothers claimed that they had confronted José and Kitty, which led to contention, and Lyle and Erik were worried that their parents would kill them. So, they said they took manners into their own hands.
However, the prosecution argued that the brothers were motivated by greed. They pointed to their lavish spending and the fact that they had purchased the murder weapons days before the killings.
Where Are The Menendez Brothers Now?
Today, Lyle and Erik Menendez remain behind bars, serving life sentences for the murders of their parents. Despite their convictions, the brothers have never stopped fighting for their freedom, insisting that they acted in self-defense after years of horrific abuse.
Over the years, they’ve filed numerous appeals and habeas petitions, all of which were denied. However, in 2023, new evidence emerged that could potentially reopen their case (via CBS News).
One key piece of evidence is a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin, Andy Cano, 8 months before the murders, in which he detailed the abuse and expressed fear for his life. Another shocking revelation came from a member of the band Menudo, who claimed that José Menendez, an executive at the band’s label, had drugged and raped him.
Despite their circumstances, Lyle and Erik have managed to reunite in 2018, when Lyle was transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, where Erik was already serving his sentence. The brothers now reside in the same housing unit, but their fight for freedom continues.
‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story‘ is set to premiere on September 19, 2024, on Netflix.
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