The case of the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, has been widely spoken about since the case happened in 1989. The brothers, 21 and 18 at the time, killed their parents on the evening of August 20 that year. While being originally tried in court, the brothers mentioned that their father, Jose Menendez was sexually abusing the boys all while their mother, Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, knew about him doing these things but still did nothing. The case is being looked at again due to new evidence, a letter from 17-year-old Erik Menendez to his uncle Andy Cano. This letter describes the sexual abuse his father had put him through.
Realistically, the brothers have spent the time they need in prison – more than three decades – and should be released at their upcoming resentencing hearing.
Their case has always been talked about, but it has become more popular again due to the release of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which was released this fall on Netflix and focused on the brothers. Ryan Murphy's portrayal of the brothers has been highly controversial in the true crime community because it felt very belittling to the brothers and the trauma they went through. Yes, killing one’s parents is a terrible thing to do, but with their circumstances, it doesn't mean strangers should sit and make fun of them. Murphy made it seem like the brothers were in love with each other.
While shows following cases like this do a lot of good in getting justice, this one just seemed like he didn't take their trauma seriously. Still understanding the show is a take on how people portrayed what happened at the time, it shows negative standpoints and things that weren't true to begin with, making some believe what happened as true. The show did get more public eyes on what happened, though, ultimately helping the brothers fight for their retrial.
There have been many takes on their case, showing the things that happened to them and that they aren’t just murderers but victims as well. After being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole, the brothers were finally set to have a resentencing hearing on Dec. 11, but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Micheal Jesic has pushed it to Jan. 30, to give the new District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, time to review the case.
The brothers had petitioned Governor Gavin Newsom to grant them “clemency,” in other words, to give the brothers mercy or leniency. Still, he wants to wait until Hochman, a former federal prosecutor who won the 2024 District Attorney election of Los Angeles County, to do his review and analysis on the case before he makes any big decision.
The aunt of the brothers has advocated for their release and even stated that her brother Jose was a “sick guy” and had trauma from when he was a child, not saying he was a bad guy though. She believes the brothers have matured and grown through their “suffering” while in prison.
The brothers’ aunt is right. They have spent the time they need in prison. They have been there for almost 35 years. It is truly hoped the justice system doesn't mess up their trial after so long because the brothers deserve to continue their lives as normal civilians. The special Ryan Murphy created about the brothers is truly disgusting and a little disheartening. It may have opened the eyes of some people to what happened to the men, but it doesn't mean they took it seriously.