The shocking murder of wealthy video company owner Jose Menendez and his wife Kitty in Beverly Hills in 1989 has garnered global attention, especially as their sons, Erik and Lyle, were convicted for the crime. As they seek release after almost 35 years, they have gained prominent supporters like Kim Kardashian. Netflix is currently spotlighting their case, which revolves around allegations of abuse and the brothers’ extravagant spending after the murders, while new evidence emerges suggesting their traumatic past.
The shocking murder case in upscale Beverly Hills has captured global attention. On August 20, 1989, Jose Menendez, a millionaire video company owner, and his wife Kitty were shot dead in their living room while watching TV. Their two sons were convicted of the crime, and they may now have a chance at release, with prominent advocates supporting their cause.
According to police reports, the victims’ bodies were so mutilated by gunfire that they were barely recognizable. Their sons, Erik and Lyle—aged 18 and 21 at the time—initially blamed the mafia during questioning. It took six months before the brothers were arrested on suspicion of murder.
The case is currently regaining worldwide interest. Two productions on Netflix are revisiting the murder and justice saga. Now aged 53 and 56, the Menendez brothers are supported by notable figures, including reality TV star and activist Kim Kardashian, who has long been an advocate for the clemency of prisoners in the U.S.
Possible Resentencing with a Reduced Sentence
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is also advocating for a resentencing with a lighter penalty. If a judge approves this, the brothers could potentially be released nearly 35 years after their arrest. Gascón has also backed their petition for clemency to California Governor Gavin Newsom, with another hearing scheduled for December.
The series “Monster: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez,” which premiered on September 19, has garnered over 62 million views worldwide in its first six weeks. The brothers are portrayed by Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch. Additionally, the two-hour Netflix documentary “The Menendez Brothers,” which debuted on October 7, accumulated 33 million views in just three weeks.
This series about the Menendez brothers is the second season of an anthology format exploring high-profile murderers, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. When Murphy launches a new series, it often becomes a worldwide sensation. The sensational Menendez case is ideal for a true-crime series as it involves abusive parents, a vast fortune, and allegations of sexual misconduct.
Wasting Money After the Murders
Shortly after the initially unsolved murders, Erik and Lyle came under suspicion when they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars from their parents’ estate on luxury items like cars and watches. The brothers later confessed to the crime, claiming they had suffered years of sexual, mental, and physical abuse from their parents and feared their parents would silence them. They asserted they acted in self-defense. However, prosecutors argued that they killed out of greed to access their parents’ wealth.
The first trial against the millionaire sons, which was broadcast live from the courtroom, featured emotional testimonies about years of sexual abuse by their father. Ultimately, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict in 1994, leading to a mistrial.
In a second trial, the brothers were found guilty of double murder in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During this trial, the presiding judge largely prohibited testimony regarding the alleged sexual abuse.
Prominent Supporters for the Brothers
Supporters of the brothers are now raising these issues. Kim Kardashian, who is training to become a lawyer and advocates for justice system reform, is calling for their immediate release. She has visited the brothers in a San Diego prison, stating in an October essay, “They are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men.” She noted that they have pursued education and taken on mentorship roles while incarcerated.
During the trials, Kardashian remarked, the brothers were portrayed in the media as greedy monsters. The sexual abuse of boys and the associated trauma were largely overlooked at the time. She argues that had they been Menendez sisters, they would likely have received more leniency. The brothers did not receive a “fair” trial in the second case, according to the entrepreneur.
Gascón has also suggested that in the 1990s, there was less awareness of male victims of sexual violence. New evidence has emerged indicating potential abuse by their father, including a letter Erik wrote to a cousin months before the murders, expressing his fear of his father’s assaults. Furthermore, a former member of the boy band Menudo has now claimed he was raped by Jose Menendez as a teenager.