The Menendez brothers are making headlines once more with the latest launch of the Netflix sequence Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The 2 have been convicted of murdering their dad and mom, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in 1989 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 at their Beverly Hills house. Shortly after committing the crime, the brothers spent about $700,000, in line with Time Journal, earlier than their arrest in 1990.
Throughout their court docket trials, they claimed to have been abused by their dad and mom all through their childhood, accusing their late father of sexual abuse and their mom of drug dependancy and alcoholism. The brothers are presently incarcerated on the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in California.
What Had been the Menendez Brothers Sentenced To?
Lyle and Erik have been sentenced to life in jail with out the potential of parole in 1996. Though they have been initially separated for many of their imprisonment, which led to restricted communication, they have been reunited in April 2018 on the identical facility in California.
In Could 2023, the brothers’ attorneys filed a petition to overturn their convictions. In keeping with court docket paperwork obtained by The Los Angeles Occasions, the submitting said, “The brand new proof not solely reveals that Jose Menendez was very a lot a violent and brutal man who would sexually abuse youngsters, but it surely strongly means that — in truth — he was nonetheless abusing Erik Menendez as late as 1988.”
The doc continued to state, “As a substitute, the crime was manslaughter, not homicide. The killings occurred in imperfect self-defense, after a lifetime of bodily and sexual abuse from their dad and mom.” Regardless of the petition, the brothers stay imprisoned.
On October 24, 2024, Los Angeles District Lawyer George Gascón introduced in a press convention that he really useful resentencing for the Menendez brothers and that they be eligible for rapid parole if the choose approves. He said, “There was no excuse for homicide … as a result of even in the event you get abused, the fitting path is to name police, search assist.” Each Lyle and Erik have been in jail for greater than three many years. He added, “I imagine they’ve paid their debt to society.”
How Had been the Menendez Brothers Caught?
Erik ended up confessing to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, throughout a remedy session. Oziel’s mistress, Judalon Smyth, then reported this info to the police.
Lyle and Erik Menendez Life Replace
Though each Lyle and Erik stay behind bars, this hasn’t stopped them from pursuing relationships. Lyle, now 56, has been married twice whereas in jail. He first married Anna Eriksson in 1996, however they divorced in 2001. Two years later, in 2003, he married Rebecca Sneed, they usually stay collectively.
As for Erik, now 53, he met his spouse, Tammi Saccoman, by letters whereas he was in jail. Their relationship blossomed, they usually have been married since 1999.
If you happen to or anybody you realize 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 help in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
If you happen to or somebody you realize is fighting substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration (SAMHSA) Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
