The Menendez brothers are making headlines once more with the latest launch of the Netflix sequence Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The two 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 house. Shortly after committing the crime, the brothers spent an estimated $700,000 earlier than their arrest in 1990.
During 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 Were the Menendez Brothers Sentenced To?
Lyle and Erik have been sentenced to life in jail with out the potential for 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 similar 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 acknowledged, “The new proof not solely exhibits that Jose Menendez was very a lot a violent and brutal man who would sexually abuse youngsters, however it strongly means that — in truth — 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 mother and father.” Despite the petition, the brothers stay imprisoned.
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, 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, they usually stay collectively.
As for Erik, now 53, he met his spouse, Tammi Saccoman, via letters whereas he was in jail. Their relationship blossomed, they usually have been married since 1999.
If you or anybody you already know has been sexually abused, name the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A skilled workers member will present confidential, judgment-free assist in addition to native assets to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
If you or somebody you already know is fighting substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).