The Menendez brothers made headlines with the 2024 launch of the Netflix collection Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The two have been convicted of murdering their dad and mom, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in 1989 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 at their Beverly Hills house. Shortly after committing the crime, the brothers spent about $700,000, in keeping with Time Magazine, earlier than their arrest in 1990.
During their court docket trials, they claimed to have been abused by their dad and mom all through their childhood, accusing their late father of sexual abuse. The brothers are at the moment incarcerated on the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in California.
Find out when Lyle and Erik may get out of jail.
What Were the Menendez Brothers Sentenced to?
Lyle and Erik have been sentenced to life in jail with out the potential of parole in 1996. Although 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 May 2023, the brothers’ attorneys filed a petition to overturn their convictions. According to court docket paperwork obtained by The Los Angeles Times, the submitting said, “The new proof not solely reveals that Jose Menendez was very a lot a violent and brutal man who would sexually abuse youngsters, nevertheless it strongly means that — in actual fact — he was nonetheless abusing Erik Menendez as late as 1988.”
The doc continued to state, “Instead, the crime was manslaughter, not homicide. The killings occurred in imperfect self-defense, after a lifetime of bodily and sexual abuse from their dad and mom.” Despite the petition, the brothers stay imprisoned.
On October 24, 2024, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón introduced in a press convention that he really helpful resentencing for the Menendez brothers and that they be eligible for fast parole if the choose approves. He said, “There was no excuse for homicide … as a result of even in case you get abused, the precise path is to name police, search assist.” Both Lyle and Erik have been in jail for greater than three many years. He added, “I consider they’ve paid their debt to society.”
Are the Menendez Brothers Getting Out of Prison?
Lyle and Erik have been scheduled to attend a court docket listening to on December 11, 2024. However, a choose pushed the date again throughout a November court docket listening to partially to present the brand new L.A. County district lawyer extra time to evaluate the case, in keeping with NBC News.
It’s unclear if the brothers will ever be launched from jail.
How Were 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 info to the police.
Lyle and Erik Menendez Life Update
Although each Lyle and Erik stay behind bars, this hasn’t stopped them from pursuing relationships. Lyle 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. However, the 2 separated by late 2024, Rebecca publicly confirmed.
As for Erik, he met his spouse, Tammi Saccoman, by letters whereas he was in jail. Their relationship blossomed, and so they have been married since 1999.
If you or anybody you realize has been sexually abused, name the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A skilled employees member will present confidential, judgment-free help in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
If you or somebody you realize is combating substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).