Lyle and Erik Menendez’s murder case has experienced an upsurge of public attention after the release of the TV series “Monsters” on Netflix Sept. 9. The resurfacing of the Menendez case has prompted debate over the brothers’ initial sentence.
On Aug. 20, 1989, 18-year-old Erik Menendez and 21-year-old Lyle Menendez murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their own home. However, it wasn’t until March 1990 that the brothers were taken into custody after Erik admitted to the murders to his therapist, Jerome Oziel.
The case took a shocking turn after Erik and Lyle alleged their parents had been sexually and physically abusing them since they were children. Led by defense attorney Leslie Abramson, the brothers claimed they were acting out of self-defense when they killed their parents.
“I don’t agree with the life sentence. I definitely do think that they should have gone to jail and been held accountable for what they did, but I think that that sentence was a little bit too harsh,” said Lexi Tsataros, a junior majoring in human development and family studies.
Two trials took place over six years, and it wasn’t until 1996 that the Menendez brothers’ case was closed. Ultimately, the two were charged with first-degree murder and faced a life sentence in prison without parole.
The new Netflix series detailing the case has been immensely popular. From Sept. 16 to Oct. 6, it was ranked in Netflix’s Global Top 10 for TV shows.
“Monsters” allowed people to revisit the Menendez brothers’ case from a few days before the murder up to when the brothers received their life sentence and were taken to separate prisons. Many viewers of the show have questioned if a life sentence was what Erik and Lyle Menendez deserved.
“I don’t think [the show] directly impacted me, but it definitely made me change my perspective of their case,” said Brooke Williams, a freshman majoring in business.
“Monsters” included multiple scenes of Lyle and Erik discussing the sexual abuse they endured at the hands of their parents. In the series, Erik referred to himself as “the hurt man” after being sexually abused by his father for over a decade.
The final scene, in which Erik and Lyle are transported to different prisons, evoked a variety of emotions from viewers.
“I thought there were a lot of sad parts that were very emotional, but I think that scene was definitely the worst. It was really upsetting to see because you know that that actually happened and Lyle and Erik were separated for 22 years,” Tsataros said.
While the brothers are currently sentenced to life with no option for parole, new circumstances have been introduced that could change their fate.
Recently, two newly revealed pieces of evidence have the power to change the brothers’ sentencing.
George Gascón, Los Angeles County District Attorney, disclosed a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin that contained information about the sexual assault Erik was enduring. In addition to the letter, Roy Rosselló, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, alleged José Menedez sexually assaulted him after a performance at Radio City Music Hall in 1985.
The influence of these two pieces of evidence on the Menendez brothers’ case will be determined on Nov. 26. The brothers have a set resentencing hearing that could lead to various possible outcomes. Erik and Lyle could be released from prison, receive a shorter sentence, maintain their current sentence or be granted a new trial.
The popularity of “Monsters” has caused many to become invested in this case, and it has sparked controversy over what the outcome of Erik and Lyle’s resentencing hearing should be.
“I don’t agree with the initial sentence they got,” Williams said. “I feel like they could have had a little more grace on them.”
Regardless of variations over the length of their initial sentence, many agree that the brothers should be freed.
“I hope they get a reduced sentence so that they can be free. I think that they’ve served their time for sure,” Tsataros said.
