Summary
- Lyle and Erik Menendez initially avoided suspicion after their parents' brutal murders.
- The OJ Simpson case significantly impacted the Menendez retrial and verdict.
- The Menendez brothers allege intense abuse by their father, Jose Menendez.
The Menendez Brothers feature length documentary launched on Netflix on October 7, 2024 and it made some shocking revelations about the drama that followed the brutal murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez in Beverly Hills, California in 1989. Lyle and Erik Menendez both contributed throughout the documentary, via phone calls from prison, and it definitely shed more light on the case and that could help in their quest for a retrial.
The documentary follows Ryan Murphy's drama about the case, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which was released last month, and has become a huge hit for the streaming giant. Monsters season 2 is at No. 1 on Netflix’s global TV charts for a second week running, earning nearly 20 million views. In addition to this, it was also in the top 10 shows on Netflix in 89 countries. The show has also garnered more than 30 million views since its release, so the documentary is bound to be a huge success too.
The Menendez Brothers Tell The Story In Their Own Words
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The Menendez Brothers |
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Contributors |
Lyle Menendez, Erik Menendez, Diane Vander Molen and Pamela Bozanich. |
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Run Time |
1 hour 58 minutes |
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Directed by |
Alejandro Hartmann |
The synopsis for The Menendez Brothers reads:
In 1996, Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted for the murders of their parents in what became one of the most famous criminal cases of the late 20th century. For the first time in 30 years, and in their own words, both brothers revisit the trial that shocked the nation. Through extensive audio interviews with Lyle and Erik, lawyers involved in the trial, journalists who covered it, jurors, family, and other informed observers, acclaimed Argentinian director Alejandro Hartmann offers new insight and a fresh perspective on a case that people only think they know.
The Menendez Brothers Were Shocked They Weren't Initially Under Suspicion For The Murders
Despite having gun residue all over their clothes, Lyle and Erik Menendez weren't initially investigated after the brutal murder of their parents. The police didn't press them about their whereabouts, despite them not having an alibi. The documentary insinuated that the residents of the wealthy Beverly Hills area were given treatment akin to 'customer service'. To put it into perspective, the affluent area of Los Angeles wasn't used to brutal crime, and especially not committed by people with such rich backgrounds, like the Menendez brothers.
The OJ Simpson Case Had A Huge Impact On The Menendez Retrial
Despite the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez happening in 1989, the justice system moved at an extremely slow pace, and Lyle and Erik Menendez weren't brought to trial until 1994. The result of that trial was a hung jury, which led to a retrial set for sometime in 1995. However, once that trial commenced, Los Angeles was experiencing a period of heightened tension due to the brutal racist attack on Rodney King by four LAPD officers, and the subsequent acquittal of the officers, which was followed by the famous riots of 1992. In an interesting twist, it was the same judge overseeing the LAPD officers' trial who also presided over the Menendez trials.
As Erik and Lyle Menendez were awaiting their retrial, O. J Simpson murdered his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman on June 12, 1994. This led to the 'trial of the century' and it put the Menendez case firmly in the back of people's minds. The true crime case hampered the brothers' case massively, as their retrial was set to commence after Simpson was acquitted in October 1995. The DA's office, led by Gil Garcetti, were in desperate need of a victory after the embarrassment of losing the Simpson case, and the documentary infers that this was largely the reason why the Menendez brothers were convicted.
Key Timeline
- January 1994: Both juries deadlock and cannot come to a verdict in the Menendez trials.
- June 1994: O. J Simpson murders Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman
- October 1995: O. J Simpson is acquitted of the murders
- October 1995: A retrial of the Menendez Brothers begins, with one jury.
- March 1996: The jury convicts both brothers of first-degree murder.
- July 1996: The brothers are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Extent Of Jose Menendez's Depravity
Lyle and Erik Menendez both claim in the documentary that they were abused by their father, and the documentary reveals there was nobody willing to come forward to defend the character of Jose Menendez. The state prosecutor, Pamela Bozanich, said:
I couldn't find anyone to say anything nice about José Menendez except his secretary. The loss of José Menendez, in my mind, was an actual plus for mankind.
Other Key Takeaways From The Menendez Brothers Documentary
- Erik Menendez blamed himself for his brother's imprisonment.
- The brothers tried to explain their post-murder spending spree, and claimed it was a cover-up for their pain.
- Kitty Menendez's sister Joan Vander Molen stands firmly by Erik and Lyle's side, due to the alleged abuse they suffered.
- Lyle Menendez has dedicated his life to helping sexual abuse survivors in prison.