The Menendez Brothers Are Back in the Spotlight. Here’s What to Read and Watch to Understand Their Case
As a lifelong cinema enthusiast and true crime aficionado who’s spent countless hours delving into the darkest corners of human nature, I can confidently say that Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” has been a gripping addition to my Netflix queue. This chilling tale of privilege, abuse, and murder has left me spellbound, not just by its dramatic portrayal but also by the intricate web of events it unravels.
Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” has been a hit on Netflix since its debut last week. This series is inspired by the real-life case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were found guilty in 1996 for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, which occurred at their Beverly Hills residence on August 20, 1989.
Incarcerated for life, these men are experiencing a cultural resurgence that transcends Murphy’s portrayal. Over the past five years, TikTok users have reexamined their case, shedding light on previously overlooked aspects such as claims by Lyle and Erik about their father sexually abusing them while their mother remained indifferent. This has sparked discussions about how their story was presented in court. Initially accused of murdering their parents to inherit a substantial fortune, the defense claimed they were defending themselves.
On October 7th, the Netflix documentary titled “The Menendez Brothers” will premiere. This film includes interviews with the brothers, their trial lawyers, journalists who reported on it, and even jurors. If you’ve seen “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” or simply want to be ready for the documentary, here’s a guide on what content to consume about this case.
What to read
“Nightmare on Elm Drive” by Dominick Dunne for Vanity Fair
The article from the October 1990 issue of Vanity Fair, titled after the Menendez family’s Beverly Hills mansion address, recounts the brothers’ lavish spending spree following their parents’ demise and Erik’s admission of the crime to his therapist. Throughout the 1990s, Dunne remained involved in the case, with Nathan Lane playing him in Murphy’s television series.
Read the story here.
They Said We’d Never Make It: My Life With Erik Menendez by Tammi Menendez
Initially, Tammi Menendez penned a letter to Erik during her watch of the 1993 trial broadcast, moved by his plight. Over time, they developed a pen-friendship, and after Tammi’s spouse passed away, she paid a visit to Erik in Folsom State Prison, where they tied the knot in 1999.
The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings That Stunned the Nation by Robert Rand
As a passionate cinephile, I’ve recently immersed myself in a compelling narrative from 2018 – a book painstakingly crafted by investigative journalist Robert Rand, who had been delving into the Menendez brothers’ case since its inception, initially for both the Miami Herald and Playboy. This captivating tome sheds light on the harrowing sexual abuse that the brothers experienced and discussed during their trial. Interestingly, this work of non-fiction served as a catalyst for the gripping scene in Netflix’s “Monsters,” where Kitty Menendez, portrayed by Chloë Sevigny, dramatically uproots Lyle Menendez’s wig (Nicholas Chavez) at the dining room table.
Buy The Menendez Murders here.
What to watch
Law and Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders
The 2017 NBC mini-series offers a dramatic portrayal of the Menendez case, centering around the defense attorney Leslie Abramson, played by Edie Falco. Falco refrained from commenting on whether she believed the verdict was just or not, stressing that such judgments are for lawyers to make. However, she appreciates Abramson’s efforts in humanizing the brothers, arguing that it’s common to categorize individuals as either ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ and she believes Abramson was trying to encourage viewers to consider the possibility that we may not always be able to distinguish between the two.
Buy episodes here.
Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed
In the Peacock docuseries, Roy Rosselló, a member of the popular Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, shares his allegation that Jose Menendez, who was an executive at RCA Records while managing the group, sexually abused him. The producers present Rosselló’s account as evidence to support the Menendez brothers’ ongoing assertion that they killed their father due to years of sexual abuse he inflicted upon them.
Watch the series on Peacock.
The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All
Back in 2017, I found myself captivated by an A&E docu-series that claimed to offer the most comprehensive interview with Erik Menendez up until then. What made it even more intriguing was that they weren’t just talking to Erik over the phone; they also spoke with prosecutors, close friends of his family, law enforcement officials, and renowned journalists like Larry King from CNN and Linda Deutsch from the Associated Press who covered the trial extensively.
Watch the series on Amazon Prime Video.
What to listen to
Murder & The Menendez Brothers: A Court TV Mystery
Approximately three decades following Court TV’s portrayal of the Menendez case fueling the true crime genre’s rise, they delved deeper into their coverage in a 2020 podcast. The podcast series examines how the brothers managed to evade arrest for seven months and primarily concentrates on the Beverly Hills police department’s probe into the case. Interviews with detectives and the 9-1-1 operator who took Lyle Menendez’s crucial call are included in this investigation.
Listen here.
The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom
In 2024, a special episode of ’48 Hours’ on CBS showcases an interview with Lyle Menendez from prison and examines potential fresh evidence which the brothers believe may secure their release. One of their lawyers, Cliff Gardner, mentions a letter written by Erik to his cousin Andy Cano, penned eight months before the homicide, detailing concerns about his father’s unpredictable actions and fear for his own safety. Although Cano testified on behalf of the brothers during the trial, he tragically passed away in 2003. The letter was not introduced as evidence in court because it was discovered among Cano’s belongings after his death by his mother.
Listen here.
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2024-09-24 22:06