The Menendez brothers are making headlines once more with the current launch of the Netflix collection Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The 2 have been convicted of murdering their mother and father, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in 1989 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 at their Beverly Hills residence. Shortly after committing the crime, the brothers spent about $700,000, in accordance with Time Journal, earlier than their arrest in 1990.
Throughout their court docket trials, they claimed to have been abused by their mother and father all through their childhood, accusing their late father of sexual abuse and their mom of drug habit and alcoholism. The brothers are presently incarcerated on the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in California.
What Have been the Menendez Brothers Sentenced To?
Lyle and Erik have been sentenced to life in jail with out the opportunity of parole in 1996. Though they have been initially separated for many of their imprisonment, which led to restricted communication, they have been reunited in April 2018 on the identical facility in California.
In Could 2023, the brothers’ attorneys filed a petition to overturn their convictions. In line with court docket paperwork obtained by The Los Angeles Instances, the submitting acknowledged, “The brand new proof not solely exhibits that Jose Menendez was very a lot a violent and brutal man who would sexually abuse youngsters, nevertheless it strongly means that — the truth is — he was nonetheless abusing Erik Menendez as late as 1988.”
The doc continued to state, “As a substitute, the crime was manslaughter, not homicide. The killings occurred in imperfect self-defense, after a lifetime of bodily and sexual abuse from their mother and father.” Regardless of the petition, the brothers stay imprisoned.
On October 24, 2024, Los Angeles District Legal professional George Gascón introduced in a press convention that he really helpful resentencing for the Menendez brothers and that they be eligible for speedy parole if the choose approves. He acknowledged, “There was no excuse for homicide … as a result of even when you get abused, the correct path is to name police, search assist.” Each Lyle and Erik have been in jail for greater than three a long time. He added, “I consider they’ve paid their debt to society.”
How Have been the Menendez Brothers Caught?
Erik ended up confessing to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, throughout a remedy session. Oziel’s mistress, Judalon Smyth, then reported this data to the police.
Lyle and Erik Menendez Life Replace
Though each Lyle and Erik stay behind bars, this hasn’t stopped them from pursuing relationships. Lyle, now 56, has been married twice whereas in jail. He first married Anna Eriksson in 1996, however they divorced in 2001. Two years later, in 2003, he married Rebecca Sneed, and so they stay collectively.
As for Erik, now 53, he met his spouse, Tammi Saccoman, by means of letters whereas he was in jail. Their relationship blossomed, and so they have been married since 1999.
When you or anybody you understand has been sexually abused, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A skilled workers member will present confidential, judgment-free help in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
When you or somebody you understand is combating substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration (SAMHSA) Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
