This article contains discussions of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse.
Summary
Netflix’sMonsterseason 2 shifts its focus to the murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez at the hands of their sons Lyle and Erik Menendez, raising the question of where the pair is now. Thetrue story of the Menendez brothersis far from a clear-cut good-versus-bad story. The prosecution argued that Erik and Lyle killed their parents to gain millions of dollars, citing their spending after the crime. The defense claimed the brothers killed their parents in self-defense due to fear of life-long sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of their father and enabling from their mother.
The crux of the case rests on whether Erik and Lyle Menendez were abused.Because it has been 34 years since the crime, attitudes surrounding it are drastically different today, with society being more aware of male victims of sexual assault and the impact of child sexual assault on victims’ psychology. The announcement that Netflix’sMonsterseason 2 – titledMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story– will focus on the brothers brings the pair back into the spotlight.
Lyle & Erik Menendez Are Both Serving Life Imprisonment Sentences Today
Lyle And Erik Are Located At Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
After the murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez,Lyle and Erik Menendez – the subjects ofMonsterseason 2 – went through two trials to determine whether they were guilty of manslaughter or first-degree murder.The juries at the first trial – one for each – were unable to come to a unanimous decision about Lyle and Erik Menendez’s guilt. The second trial was tried together with one jury, and the information presented drastically differed, as detailed in theCrime Library’s outline of the second trial. The judge decreased the number of witnesses the defense could call to corroborate the Menendez brothers’ abuse claims.
Whether they were right or wrong, the prosecution came out on top, with both men being convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
He also decided that the defense couldn’t present the theory that the brothers experienced battered person syndrome and ruled that the parents’ alleged psychological abuse was irrelevant. Erik’s long-time psychiatrist couldn’t testify about Erik’s alleged sexual molestation. The prosecution presented a computer-generated reconstruction of the murder that was disputed by a wound ballistic expert, a pathologist, and a crime lab expert. On the other hand, they added evidence of the Menendez brothers trying to find their parents’ will in a safe, pointing to a financial motive. This creates a complicated andshocking trial that Monster season 2 can’t leave out.
Ultimately, whether they were right or wrong, the prosecution came out on top, with both men being convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Although they asked to be housed together,Lyle went to Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, and Erik went to Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County. However, in 2018, the brothers were reunited when Lyle was transferred to Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, and Erik moved into the same housing unit. Both men are still in prison today.
Documentaries based on this case includeSuburban Nightmare: The Menendez Brothers,The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All,Menendez Brothers Victims or Villains,Menendez Brothers: Misjudged?, andTruth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers.
How Old Lyle & Erik Menendez Are In 2024
Lyle And Erik Are In Their 50s And Have Created A Productive Life In Prison
At the time of the crime,Lyle Menendez was 21 years old, and Erik Menendez was 18, making them 56 and 53, respectively. They’ve now spent longer in prison than they did outside, creating a life and a new normalcy for themselves. While in prison, they both married non-incarcerated women, according toBiography. As of 2024, Erik remains married to his pen pal, Tammi Saccoman, whom he married in 1999. Lyle divorced his first wife, Anna Eriksson, and then got together with Rebecca Sneed, who he’s been married to since 2003.
Journalist Robert Rand has provided insight into the brothers’ lives behind bars. He toldA&E True Crimethat the brothers are actively involved in bettering their prison communities. Lyle is a prison reform activist and oversaw the redesign of the prison yard. He also received his bachelor’s degree in sociology. Meanwhile, Erik leads weekly self-help groups. They both function as peer mentors to other prisoners who were victims of sexual abuse, and they painted a large mural.
Monster Season 2’s Story Can Finally Fix The Show’s Dahmer Criticisms
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The Menendez Brothers Are Still Working On Appeals For Their Convictions & Sentences
Erik And Lyle Menendez Are Awaiting Judgment On New Evidence
While Erik and Lyle Menendez have become contributing members of their prison community, they are still fighting for their freedom, sticking to the assertion that they killed their parents in self-defense after years of brutal sexual assault, physical assault, and psychological assault. Previously, they’ve tried appealing and filing a habeas petition with the California Supreme Court. They also filed habeas petitions federally, but all their appeals and petitions were denied. However,they found hope in 2023 when their lawyer filed a habeas petition, presenting two new pieces of evidence that prove Erik and Lyle’s claims of sexual abuse(viaCBS News).
Monster Season 2 Casts The Two Actor Who Will Play The Infamous Menendez Brothers
Ryan Murphy’s Monster season 2 has found its leads, casting two newcomers as the Menéndez brothers, who are imprisoned for killing their parents.
The first thing is a letter written eight months before the murder by Erik Menendez to his cousin Andy Cano about how bad the abuse was and Erik’s fear for his safety. This letter was allegedly found in storage by Cano’s mother. Secondly, a shocking revelation fromPeacock’sMenendez + Menudois that Roy Rossello, a member of the band Menudo, signed an affidavit stating that Jose Menendez, who was an executive at the band’s label, drugged and raped him.The lawyer is looking to have the conviction vacatedbased on the fact that the brothers would have been out of prison if they’d been sentenced to manslaughter.
However, there is no update about the judge’s decision as of August 2024. Ultimately, the outcome of the appeal could be important in the way that Netflix’sMonsterseason 2 portrays the Menendez brothers. If the writers believe the brothers, the brothers getting out will be a moment of celebration. However, if they paint Erik and Lyle Menendez as murderers, it could be painted as an injustice.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Cast
This true crime drama delves into the infamous case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents. The series examines the complex family dynamics and legal battles that captivated the nation, highlighting the motivations and repercussions of their actions.
