Written By: Reagan Metzger, Staff Writer
MONSTERS: The history of the Menedez murders and explanations for recent progressions within the media, case, and support.
Jose Menendez was sent to the United States by his parents following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. A family member reminisced that the teenage immigrant was “too much to handle” and at times a “bully.” Despite not speaking any English and living in his cousin’s attack, Jose maintained his grades throughout high school and later received a scholarship to swim at Southern Illinois University, where he met his future wife: Mary Louise “Kitty” Anderson. The “American dream” was in his sights, and Jose was prepared to work hard with a family to support him. By thirty-five, he became executive vice president for a car rental company, Hertz, and he later became a chief operating officer. Jose was known for his intense persona and remarked many times to many of his colleagues that he was “a winner.”
Jose and Kitty became parents to two boys, Lyle and Erik. Their father constantly pushed the boys towards perfection when it came to sports, schools, status, and other aspects of life. Jose exerted tremendous pressure on the boys to always succeed. The older brother, Lyle, was often related to his father for he was extroverted and harsh while Erik was seen to be more sensitive and reserved.
On the evening of August 20th, 1989, a 911 call was made from the family’s Beverly Hills mansion. 21-year-old Lyle sobbed to the operator, “Somebody killed [his] parents!” Jose and Kitty were found dead in their living room from multitudes of gruesome shotgun wounds. Because of the horrifying crime scene and killings, the police originally suspected that the murders were connected to Jose’s foul business dealings or even the mob. However, this was soon disregarded when attention was shifted towards Lyle and Erik. The boys inherited around 14 million dollars (about 36.8 million today) from their successful parents and immediately began spending. They bought watches, racked up gambling debts, and purchased businesses, all while spending 700,000 dollars (About 1.8 million today) in the few months following.
On March 8th, 1990, Lyle Menendez was arrested in Beverly Hills for the murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez. Eighteen-year-old, Erik, turned himself in three days later upon returning home from a trip. After the Police obtained a recorded confession from both Erik and Lyle, the brothers admitted to killing their parents.
After curating a plan that possibly could have worked; How were Erik and Lyle caught? Racked with guilt, Erik confided in his physiatrist, Doctor Oziel, who learned the truth in October of 1989. The brothers confessed to the therapist in detail about their killings and Oziel recorded their sessions as a form of “insurance.” Oziel told his mistress, Judalon Smyth, about the boy’s wrongdoings which she later took to the police after she and Oziel separated. Detectives were already highly suspicious of the Menendez children due to many other previous instances, but their recorded confessions solidified and uncovered the horrific truth that Erik and Lyle murdered their parents.
One important factor in the court proceedings was Erik’s Lawyer, Leslie Abramson. This UCLA law school graduate was best known for taking on “tough” cases and widely considered to be “the most brilliant Los Angeles defense lawyer for death row cases.” (Vanity Fair, 1990) Upon taking on Erik and Lyle as new clients, Leslie and the rest of the world learned about the disgusting circumstances that the brothers had to endure from an early age. Jose Menendez sexually abused his two sons as well as extensive verbal, emotional, and physical abuse throughout their childhoods. Erik and Lyle explained to multiple juries about their experiences growing up and Leslie Abramson told the Washington Post that “they are not murderers. They are troubled kids in a very difficult and grotesque home environment, and they cracked.” According to the brothers, they were convinced that their parents would have eventually killed them because of their continuous abuse and that they were acting “out of self-defense.” The case sparked masses of media interest; some in support of the brothers and others who believed that they deserved the death penalty. The trial took about three years and three different juries. In 1996, Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Leslie Abramson immediately spoke out in outrage for she saw the sentencing as “exceedingly cruel and heartless.” All in all, the majority of sexual abuse evidence and claims were dismissed in the final proceedings, leading the court to swiftly close the case.
About thirty years later, Netflix released a series called “Monsters” starring Cooper Koch and Nicolas Alexander Chavez. The nine-episode-long series tells the story of the Menendez murders in vivid detail and accuracy. Esteemed director, Ryan Murphy, also created the 2022 series “Dahmer” which explained the case of serial killer, Jeffery Dahmer, who killed seventeen people in the late 1980s. When Ryan Murphy was asked about the Menendez series he told reporters “I think it’s fascinating to talk about this topic, which is essentially asking the question: Are monsters made or are they born?” Following the series release and masses of media attention, the Menendez family released a statement speaking out against the show. Ryan Murphy and many others who watched the series can agree that it has had positive impacts on the brothers who are still incarcerated. Viewers find value in having difficult conversations about male sexual abuse for it is a topic that modern-day culture still shies away from. Ryan Murphy understands that the show “by its nature, is very controversial.” He hopes that he can shed light on all perspectives of the murders as well as the case that followed and maybe even provide clarification to viewers with preconceptions about the brothers. The brother’s lawyer, Leslie Abramson, made a statement at the end of the “Monsters” series: “Thirty years is a long time. I would like to leave the past in the past. No amount of media nor teenage petitions will alter the fate of these clients. Only the courts can do that and they have ruled.”
Despite her concluding statement which provided little hope for justice, in October 2024 great strides were made for the imprisoned brothers. In previous years, there have been many movements, petitions, and opinions supported by younger generations regarding their release. Not much progress was made until Thursday, October 24th when LA District Attorney, George Gascon, sent letters to California Governor, Gavin Newsom, expressing “strong support” for clemency. The letters cite “credible allegations” of sexual and physical abuse from their father as well as evidence of the brother’s “dedication to rehabilitation. ” Gascón has petitioned the court to resentence the men to 50 years to life on two counts of first-degree murder. Under California law, they would be eligible for youth parole since they were under the age of 26 at the time of the crime and have already served 30 years in prison.
Despite this progress, many are still skeptical about whether or not the brother’s sentence should change. Most adults who were interviewed struggled to reach an opinion about their release, while the students and teenagers asked were able to conclude. Poly High School Senior, Connor Julian, agrees that the case “is not at all black and white.” He then went on to explain both sides which he understands for those who support their release as well as the opposite. Connor provided valid claims for both perspectives, but when asked if he thought they should be released, he sighed and simply said “No.” Another Poly Senior spoke, Frida Azul, about the case. She had a much more different approach to the matter for she stressed the facts about the abuse that the boys endured for years. I asked her if she thinks that the case should be reopened and she replied, “Yes, I think that there is a lot more to discuss now and I think that it was ultimately unfair.”
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Erik and Lyle did commit a crime, but they were also products of their environments. However, does that fact give them the right to murder their parents? Only the courts can decide and many hope that they do it soon. Until any further progressions, the Menedez brothers reside in a correctional facility near San Diego after years of separation. The brothers are hopeful for the future, no matter the outcome, and are grateful for all of the support that they continue to receive.