Back in 1989, the Menendez Brothers, 28 year old Erik and 21 year old Lyle killed their parents, 47 year old Kitty and 45 year old Jose Menendez, in their Beverly Hills million dollar mansion . Reporters, detectives, and people all over the globe initially believed it was the Mafia that committed this act of violence. However, Erik Menendez ultimately confessed to his therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, that he and his brother had committed the murder.
Erik shared that he was being sexually abused by his father from age 6 until the time of the killings. Erik also informed the public that Lyle was also sexually abused at the age of 8. Dr. Oziel had the idea to record their sessions but to keep the contents confidential.
Unfortunately, Judalon Smyth, his mistress whom he was having an affair with, was called to his office to “protect” him from the Menendez brothers. Dr. Oziel felt safer with an eye witness in case the boys committed an act of violence on him. Judalon stole the recordings and handed them into the police, with the evidence being the turning point that led to this case being so well known. Both of the brothers admitted to killing their parents as well as planning it in advance. Erik and Lyle Menendez’s attorney, Leslie Abramson, fought about why they murdered their parents. Leslie noted if the case was two daughters named Layla Menendez or Erika Menendez, would it make a difference? She describes the acts of sexual abuse both of the boys were involved in with their parents. Erik and Lyle narrate the details of what their father did. Lyle Menendez explains how he tried to make Jose stop, but Jose claimed he wanted Erik to be a man.
Dominick Lane, who is an investigative journalist, points out how Lesile Abramson used the same reasoning, which was acting on self defense, in a trial that was recent during that time. Most of the jury believed it was false information and they were spoiled rich kids that killed their parents for money. However, if you watched the actual interviews you would have seen their emotions as they talked about why they murdered Jose and Kitty. Diane Vander Molen, cousin of Erik and Lyle, testified that during a stay with the family, Jose locked the bathroom door that Lyle and he were in. Kitty ignored her when Diane told her the situation. The mother always knew about Jose and the boys which she admitted to Lyle and Erik. The trial started in August 1989 to July 1996. Each of the brothers are serving two life sentences without parole .
Currently, the office is reviewing new evidence, a handwritten letter by Erik claiming he was sexually abused by his father that was written before the murders. The brothers are scheduled for a new hearing on November 26. However, the family of the Menendez brothers are currently standing behind them and are also rooting for them to get justice. Sister of Kitty Menendez speaks about the unthinkable crime. She closes with an argumentative statement, “Lyle and Erik have already paid a heavy price discarded by a system that failed to recognize their pain. They have grown, they have changed, and they have become better men. Despite everything that they’ve been through, it’s time to give them an opportunity to live the rest of their lives free from the shadow of their past.” The office is evaluating if the Menendez brothers deserve conviction or reopen proceedings.
To learn more about their story, you can watch the documentary on Netflix: “The Menendez Brothers”.
