Gabby Miller | Writer
October 3, 2024
With Netflix’s new documentary Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, based on the 1989 murder case coming out on October 7th, the Menendez Brothers murder case has resurfaced, blowing up the internet. At the young ages of 21 and 18, the Menendez brothers shot both of their parents on August 20, 1989, shooting their father, José, six times and mother, Kitty, ten times. For six months, the Menendez brothers splurged on lavish luxuries from Rolex’s to vacations, restaurants to sports cars, not failing to waste every penny their parents left behind. Together, the Menendez brothers spent $700,000 over the short period. The brothers were not locked behind bars until Lyle guiltily confessed to his psychiatrist Jerome Oziel, who later ratted him out to his girlfriend, who ultimately told the cops. On March 8, 1990, Lyle was arrested, and just shortly after, Erik turned himself in three days later.
Throughout two trials, beginning on July 20, 1993, the Menendez brothers were found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder, resulting in life imprisonment without the chance of parole, despite their attempt to justify their motives behind their murder. Both brothers illustrated a life of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse from their parents. As the trial aired on Court TV broadcast, the trial became a national sensation across America. The case quickly grew into a debate on whether their crime was justified or not, with people siding either for or against the brothers. Many claimed that though the Menendez parents abused their children, the brothers should have never killed them. However, if they were abused, were the brothers’ crimes acts of self-defense?
With Netflix’s new documentary Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the debate has begun to recirculate. Junior Cole Wilkes claims “the brothers just needed a real dad” who did not abuse and set unrealistic expectations for their children. However, at the time of both brother’s trials, there was no actual evidence of the abuse, but a new piece of evidence was recently found. A letter addressed to cousin Andy Cano from Erik, states Erik “never knows when” his dad will next attack him and how it “drives him crazy” (CBS News). With this new evidence and Netflix’s documentary, many people have proposed giving the Menendez brothers another trial. So now the question remains: was the murder of the Menedez parents simply an act of self-defense and should there be another trial?
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