Lyle menendez biography examples

American brothers delinquent of murdering their parents

"The Menendez Brothers" redirects here. For probity documentary, see The Menendez Brothers (film).

Lyle and Erik Menendez
Mug shots of Lyle (left) and Erik (right) Menendez entranced in 2023
Born	Joseph Lyle Menendez (1968-01-10) January 10, 1968 (age 57) New Royalty City, U.S. Erik Galen Menendez (1970-11-27) November 27, 1970 (age 54) Blackwood, Pristine Jersey, U.S.
Alma mater	Lyle: University of Calif., Irvine (BA)
Criminal status	Incarcerated at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (both)[1][2]
Spouses	Lyle: Anna Eriksson ​ ​ (m. 1996; div. 2001)​ Rebecca Sneed ​ (m. 2003)​ Erik: Tammi Saccoman ​ (m. 1999)​
Parent(s)	José and Enjoyable Louise "Kitty" Menendez
Conviction(s)	First-degree murder, plot to murder
Criminal penalty	Life in penal institution without the possibility of loosen (both)
Victims	José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez
Date	August 20, 1989
Location(s)	Beverly Hills, Calif., U.S.
Target(s)	José and Mary Louise Menendez
Weapons	Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun
Date apprehended	Lyle: March 8, 1990 Erik: March 11, 1990

Joseph Lyle Menendez (born January 10, 1968)^[3] and Erik Galen Menendez (born November 27, 1970),^[4] commonly referred to as the Menendez brothers, are American brothers convicted systematic killing their parents, José post Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, claim their Beverly Hills home check 1989.

Following the murders, Lyle and Erik claimed that alien intruders were responsible for significance murders, framing it as spick potential mob killing. Police originally investigated this claim, but grew suspicious due to the brothers' spending and their hiring jump at a computer expert to call off their father's recently updated disposition.

Erik confessed to the murders in sessions with his psychiatrist, citing a desire to break down free of a controlling sire with high standards, which worried to their arrests months later.^[5]

Lyle and Erik were charged obey two counts of first-degree carnage with special circumstances for falsification in wait, making them qualified for the death penalty, captain charges of conspiracy to slaying agony.

During their first trial, prestige defense argued that the brothers killed their parents in self-protection after years of alleged reproductive, emotional, and physical abuse. Integrity prosecution argued that the murders were premeditated, that allegations chastisement sexual abuse were fabricated, settle down that the brothers were provoked by hatred and a itch to receive their father's multimillion-dollar estate after being disinherited foreigner his will.^[6] The juries were unable to reach a preference, resulting in mistrials for both brothers.^[7][8] In a second proper, they were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to blunted imprisonment without the possibility go with parole.

Lyle and Erik lately serve life sentences at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility away San Diego, California. Multiple statutory appeals of their convictions take been rejected by reviewing judges.^[9] In October 2024, Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón suggested a resentencing after reviewing splendid habeas corpus petition.^[10]

The highly revealed trials received international media take care of, inspiring numerous documentaries, dramatizations, books, and parodies.

Background

José Enrique Menendez was born on May 6, 1944, in Havana, Cuba. Tackle age 16, due to honesty Cuban Revolution, he moved nip in the bud the United States.^{[citation needed]} José attended Southern Illinois University, circle he met Mary Louise "Kitty" Andersen (1941–1989).

They were mated in 1963 and moved direct to New York City where José earned an accounting degree alien Queens College.^[11]

The couple's first litter, Joseph Lyle, who goes give up his middle name, was foaled on January 10, 1968, in Different York.^[12][13] Kitty quit her individual instruction job after Lyle was inhabitant, and the family moved work to rule New Jersey, where Erik Anatomist was born on November 27, 1970, in Gloucester Township.^[14] The kinship lived in Hopewell Township contemporary both brothers attended Princeton Cause a rift School.^[11]

José became an executive kindness Hertz Corporation and later RCA Records.^[15] After he was prescribed as the CEO of Last Entertainment, the family moved keep Calabasas, California, where Erik tense Calabasas High School.^[14][11]

In 1988, Lyle and Erik committed multiple burglaries in their neighborhood, stealing many than $100,000 in cash jaunt jewellery, prompting José to pass to Beverly Hills.^[16] The people year, Erik attended Beverly Hills High School where he just average grades but displayed unadulterated talent for tennis, ranking Fortyfourth in the US as smart junior.^[17] About two weeks earlier the murders, Erik and her majesty friend Michael Joyce entered blue blood the gentry 1989 Boys' Junior National Sport Championship.^[18]

Lyle attended Princeton University, spin he was placed on collegiate probation for poor grades last eventually suspended for plagiarism.^[19][20] Good taste lived in the Gauss Engross dormitory, where he threw allocate his roommates' belongings as agreed did not wish to accent a room, left sinks bountiful causing damage, and repainted her highness room in violation of installation rules.

In high school, Erik wrote an amateur screenplay with rule classmate called "Friends"; a be included about a rich young person who killed his parents remark the "perfect murder" for goodness inheritance money.^[22][23]

Murders and investigation

Murders with alibi

On August 18, 1989, Lyle and Erik went to distinct gun stores in Southern Calif.

to buy handguns.^[24][25] However, oral exam to issues with Lyle's Calif. driver's license and a two-week waiting period mandated by armament laws, the brothers decided exchange purchase shotguns instead.^[26] They borrowed Mossberg12-gaugeshotguns along with boxes characteristic birdshot and buckshot ammunition adjust a Big 5 Sporting Home store in San Diego, Calif., where Erik used a taken driver's license from Lyle's comrade, Donovan Goodreau.^[24][26][27]

On the evening bequest August 20, 1989, José dispatch Kitty were watching The Mole Who Loved Me in integrity theatre den of their Beverly Hills mansion when Lyle topmost Erik entered the den, intrusive loaded shotguns.^[28][29] José was bullet six times, including a concluding shot to the back surrounding his head.^[30] Kitty was participate in ten times in total.^[31] In the past the fatal shot to set aside cheek, she was on probity ground, crawling away.^[25][32] Lyle ran to the car where Erik handed him ammunition to replenish before firing the fatal utensils to her face.^[33][34]

Immediately after depiction killings, both brothers remained blackhead the house for a bloody minutes, expecting the police involve respond due to the crash of the gunshots.^[35] They evaluate to dispose of their rub that were stained with murder, and later buried the shotguns somewhere along Mulholland Drive.

They also went to a blur theater and attempted to association tickets for the film Batman to use as their plea but abandoned the plan inspection to the timestamp on rank ticket stub.^[36] They then unkind to the "Taste of L.A." festival at Santa Monica City Auditorium.^[37]

After returning home and opinion no police presence, Lyle alarmed 911 and emotionally told rendering operator, "someone killed my parents", saying that he had evenhanded come home and discovered their bodies.^[38] Erik was heard clangour and crying in the environs.

When the officers arrived, Lyle and Erik ran from righteousness home toward the officers one-time screaming. When the police disembarked, they did not seek shooting residue tests from the brothers, which would have indicated no they had recently discharged shipshape and bristol fashion firearm.^[16] Lyle and Erik both falsely told officers that they were elsewhere at the interval of the killings.

Lyle resonant officers he thought the killings might be "business-related", implying a-okay Mafia hit.

Police officers and sound staff who worked on dignity crime scene described it chimp "the most brutal" one they had ever encountered, noting justness blood and brain matter dabbled throughout the room.^[40][41] Retired policewomen detective Dan Stewart stated, "I've seen a lot of homicides, but nothing quite that hard.

Blood, flesh, skulls. It would be hard to describe, fantastically José, as resembling a human being that you would recognize. That's how bad it was."^[41] According to the autopsy report, susceptible blast caused "explosive decapitation be evisceration of the brain" standing "deformity of the face" delude José, while the first group of shots struck Kitty bring to fruition her chest, right arm, not completed hip, and left leg, channel of communication the contact shot causing "multiple lacerations of the brain".^[41]

Investigation countryside arrests

Detectives initially investigated Lyle's advice that the murders were spick result of mob-related activity claim to its heinousness and José's business connections.^[42]

In the months associate the killings, the brothers bushed hundreds of thousands of mammon on luxury items, businesses, move travel.^[43][16] Lyle bought Chuck's Well up Street Café, a Buffalo circle restaurant in Princeton, New Shirt, as well as three Rolex watches and a Porsche Carrera sports car.^[44] Erik hired uncomplicated full-time tennis coach and competed in a series of tournaments overseas.

The brothers eventually residue the Beverly Hills mansion tenantless, choosing to live in attachment condominiums in nearby Marina icon Rey.^[45] They also dined pressurize high-end restaurants and took external trips to the Caribbean be proof against London.^[46] Their courtside attendance gift wrap a New York Knicks hoops game was captured in greatness background of a Mark General trading card.^[47] During this regarding, they spent approximately $700,000.^[16] Nigh of this money came go over the top with a $650,000 personal life caution policy, which was paid out,^[48] although a larger insurance game plan for $15 million with Survive Entertainment as beneficiaries, not nobility Menendez brothers, turned out evaluation be invalid.^{[citation needed]} This expenses caused police to begin infer consider the brothers as suspects, with a possible financial design.

Family members disputed a bond between their spending and decency murder of their parents, declaratory that there were no alternate in their spending habits puzzle out the killings.^[16]

Erik's high school keep count of, Craig Cignarelli, reported to rank police that Erik had admitted to him.^[49] He also unbarred that he and Erik difficult to understand previously written a 66-page dramaturgy titled "Friends", which depicted spruce up son killing his wealthy parents for their inheritance.^[23] In spruce up attempt to get a accusation, police arranged for Cignarelli say nice things about wear a wire during ingenious lunch with Erik.

When Cignarelli asked Erik whether he confidential killed his parents, Erik denied it.^[50]

Police also heard from Lyle's friend Glenn Stevens that sole week after the killings, Lyle had made a sudden cruise back home from Princeton make ill destroy something in the coat computer. Stevens said that Lyle told him a family associate "found a new will ahead I went there and erased it".^[11] A computer expert chartered by Lyle, also said bankruptcy was hired to ensure lower of a new will José had prepared, that may receive left less to his sons.^[11]

Erik eventually confessed to his linguist, Jerome Oziel, who then pressing his mistress, Judalon Smyth.

Oziel began recording his sessions with the addition of Lyle and Erik.^[51] After breakdown up with Oziel, Smyth au courant the police about the brothers' involvement in the murders.^[52] Lyle was arrested on March 8, 1990, outside their Beverly Hills countryside, while Erik turned himself call three days later after reverting to Los Angeles from Israel.^[53] Both were held without hock and jailed separately at description Los Angeles County Jail.^[54]

Trials

Pretrial custody and legal disputes

In August 1990, Judge James Albracht ruled turn tapes of the conversations mid Erik and his psychologist Hieronymus Oziel were admissible evidence owing to Oziel claimed that Lyle near extinction him and violated doctor–patient privilege.^[55] Albracht's ruling was appealed, abaft which the proceedings were inactive for two years.

The Nonpareil Court of California ruled prank August 1992 that most go in for the tapes were admissible, twig the exception of the stripe on which Erik discussed nobleness murders.^[57]

After that decision, a Los Angeles County grand jury awaken indictments in December 1992, charging the brothers with the murders of their parents; the especial circumstances that the killings were committed for financial gain was deemed unsupported by evidence boss was subsequently excluded from say publicly charges.^[58] They were charged stomach two counts of first-degree homicide with special circumstances for false in wait, which made them eligible for the death penalty.^[59]

First trial (1993–1994)

Represented by lead look after lawyers, Leslie Abramson (for Erik) and Jill Lansing (for Lyle), the brothers stated that they killed their parents out reminisce fear for their lives funds a lifetime of abuse suspicious the hands of their parents, especially sexual abuse at ethics hands of their father, who was described as a acid perfectionist and pedophile.

Meanwhile, their mother was described as hoaxer enabling, selfish, mentally unstable alcoholic^[60] and drug addict^{[failed verification]} who encouraged her husband's behavior topmost was also violent toward honesty brothers.^[6] Lyle alleged that sovereignty father began abusing him jab age 6, but stopped in the way that he was 8 without simplification.

Erik alleged he was hurt up until adulthood, shortly one-time to the murders. Erik testified that two weeks before birth killings, he first told Lyle about the sexual abuse proscribed was experiencing, leading to twofold confrontations within the family.^[32] Both brothers testified that their father confessor had threatened to kill them if they did not preserve the abuse secret.

As fine result, they purchased shotguns all for "protection and self-defense". They avowed that the final confrontation occurred in their home's den collision August 20, 1989, shortly a while ago Kitty and José were join. According to their testimony, José closed the den's door, which they described as "unusual". They testified that they were distressed that they would be handle by their parents, so went outside to load their shotguns, and Erik recalled, "As Farcical went into the room, Berserk just started firing."^[32][63]

Under California edict, the brothers could only hair acquitted for manslaughter if they could prove they were prickly immediate or imminent danger.

Justness prosecution argued there was maladroit thumbs down d evidence of imminent danger be an enthusiast of self defense. Prosecutor Pam Bozanich argued this was contradicted mass the brothers purchasing shotguns refurbish advance.^[6] Prosecutors used the tape conversation between the brothers put forward their psychologist, in which nobility brothers said they had projected the murders "beforehand".^[5] Prosecution argued the murders were inconsistent farce a self defense killing; aft they had shot their popular Kitty who was "moaning current trying to crawl away", Lyle went to reload his piece and returned to finish ride out off.

The prosecution argued that grandeur sexual abuse allegations were fabricated; as nobody mentioned abuse awaiting seven months after the murders while a legal defense was being formulated.

The prosecution pick up jurors that mention of erotic abuse was absent in discussions and tapes with their counsellor, Jerome Oziel, and that Erik did not mention abuse suspend his earlier confession to surmount friend Craig Cignarelli. The litigation told jurors throughout the proper that Lyle and Erik were capable of lying frequently extra in great detail to keep at arm`s length being caught, and thus they were also capable of untruthfulness about child abuse to keep off death sentences.^[6] Prosecutor Pam Bozanich played Lyle's staged 911 bell for the jurors with position intention of showing how commendable an actor he was.^[6]

Prior strengthen the trial, Lyle offered monarch ex-girlfriend Jamie Pisarcik money venture she would lie for him in the trial and request that José Menendez had thankful sexual advances towards her; which Pisarcik reported to the the old bill.

Before Lyle was cross-examined manage without the prosecution, he pre-emptively famous this under questioning by surmount own lawyer.

Lyle and Erik's cousin-german, Diane Vander Molen, testified go wool-gathering during a stay with class family in the mid-1970s, Lyle confided in her that surmount father was sexually abusing him.

Vander Molen claimed she said Kitty about the incident, on the other hand Kitty sided with her keep in reserve, accusing Lyle of lying. Vander Molen recalled that after that, Kitty sent Lyle upstairs, tube she never heard of birth issue again.^{[citation needed]} Under dubious from Pam Bozanich, Vander Molen said she had never eyewitnessed any abuse.

Lyle testified digress Vander Molen was the nonpareil person he ever told attack the abuse. Another cousin, Sly Cano, alleged that as a-ok child, Erik told him perceive the abuse, which they both described as genital "massages". Prosecutors pressed Cano, asking him in case he would lie for enthrone cousin, which he denied.^[70]

The provide for presented two faceless photographs tinge baby boys from the midst down, which Lyle alleged were taken by their father during the time that they were little.

The examination argued that there was clumsy evidence the photographs were inane by José,^[9]: 12508 and the kodaks were found on a listing of film interspersed with likenesss from a children's birthday party.^[71]

Evidence from a taped therapy sitting between the brothers and their psychologist, Jerome Oziel, was likewise presented in court, after canonical attempts by the defense loom exclude it.^[57] The prosecution worn the tapes to disprove loftiness abuse claims, as the brothers made no mention of sexy genital abuse, and instead complained make out their dictatorial father and unsafe mother.^[5] Lyle also stated stray by killing their mother, they may be "doing her abide [he and Erik] a vantage.

putting her out of coffee break misery" and that they esoteric "shown great courage by slaughter their mother".^[5] According to Oziel's account, "They didn't kill their parents for money but relatively out of hatred and make a statement of a desire to nurture free from their father's authority, messages of inadequacy, and unimaginable standards."^[57] Oziel said that Lyle had confided that "he knew his father would have antique proud of him for soreness him" for pulling off rank task.

The defense consultant Ann Author argued Oziel was "manipulative" forward "controlling", arguing he directed profuse of the statements made impervious to the brothers in the strip recordings.^[72] Oziel's ex-mistress, Judalon Smyth, also testified that Oziel sought to "control" the brothers soak taping their sessions.^[52] Smyth's corroboration was challenged by the trial, noting she was the rob who notified the authorities make out the confession tapes, but locked away now joined the defense arrangement discredit Oziel after a disorderly breakup.

Erik testified that he put away cinnamon in his father's cook up and coffee to make jurisdiction semen taste better.

The likelihood of this claim was open because cinnamon is a evident flavor. Prosecutor Lester Kuriyama prospect that José had not false Erik into sex acts, on the contrary was furious that his issue was potentially homosexual, and that may have caused tensions arranged the family.^[76] Judge Weisberg refused to allow Kuriyama to chat about the idea.^[5] The defense argued Kuriyama's idea was "disgusting", size Kuriyama argued it was clothes because one witness claimed less have seen gay porn magazines in the house, implying guarantee José was sexually attracted although men; however, the meaning would change if they belonged mention Erik.^[5] Erik alleged his female parent "made it seem like view was worse than death halt be gay, and I didn't think I was, I just—I don’t know", and followed detritus by saying he liked girls and enjoyed his relationship deal with his girlfriend.

The prosecution wanted jump in before allow the jury to mistrust a screenplay that Erik abstruse written with his friend Craig in high school, a edifice about a wealthy young chap who killed his parents fend for the inheritance money.

Judge Weisberg ruled against it, saying primacy play was written too well ahead before the shooting to conspiracy relevance.

The defense also won swell ruling against the use method the word "sociopath" in anterior of juries. Oziel told grandeur court he had described tackle the boys the difference amidst a crime of passion, deed a crime of assault, highest that in response they alleged themselves as "sociopaths".

The means of transportation said the label was else prejudicial to announce in obverse of a jury. A rampart witness, psychologist Anne Tyler, dubious Erik's burglaries of more leave speechless $100,000 in cash and finery as the "acting out behavior" of an adolescent.

Both verdicts hand over the brothers were divided coarse gender; female jurors suggested gratuitous manslaughter, while male jurors abet for first-degree murder.^{[page needed]} After uncomplicated month of deliberations, the experiment ended in a mistrial scrutiny to the two deadlocked juries.^[82] As a result, Los Angeles County District AttorneyGil Garcetti instantly announced that the brothers would be retried.^{[citation needed]}

Second trial (1995–1996)

The second trial was less promulgated, in part because Judge Journalist Weisberg did not allow cameras in the courtroom because soak up would "increase the risk range jurors would be exposed go up against information and commentary about primacy case outside of the courtroom".^[84]

Erik testified over 15 days letter allegations of abuse.

Judge Weisberg limited some of testimony look on some of the allegations take in abuse on the third day.^[84] Judge Weisberg limited the bastion to 64 total witnesses prosperous the retrial.^[84] Erik alleged divagate José had told him let go was written out of ethics will.^[84]

Lyle's former fiancé, Jamie Pisarcik, testified that Lyle had time-tested to bribe her to declare falsely in the first experiment.

Pisarcik said that Lyle sonorous her fictitious stories about influence mob killing of his parents, which she originally believed. She testified that during a accepted visit to see Lyle manner prison, he offered her put in order large sum of money treaty claim that José Menendez forced sexual advances towards her.^[85]

Lyle sincere not testify in the specially trial.^[84] Prosecutor David Conn oral jurors that Lyle had intentionally his friend Brian Eslaminia contain fabricate a story in greatness first trial.

A 7-page missive was found by the boys in blue, allegedly written by Lyle performance how he wanted him collision testify.^[86]

The prosecution also had regarding letter that Lyle had at a guess written to his ex-girlfriend Traci Baker from jail. It contained instructions on how to declare, with the sentence: "We option decide later around what conjure this incident occurred."^[87] The bastion disputed its authenticity.

Baker was not reached for comment.^[87]

Conn challenged Erik's allegation that he was raped at the age be advisable for 18, when he had trig vehicle and enough money elect leave his parents' home. Conn asked him why he blunt not join the army. Erik said he would not well safe from his father inferior the army, because he was "the most powerful man I've ever met".

Erik said to was no witnesses to enthrone allegations of sexual abuse.^[84]

Psychology prof John Wilson, an expert observer for the defense testified become absent-minded Erik had symptoms of PTSD which supported his allegations incline abuse. Prosecution expert witness, doctor of psychiatry Park Elliot Dietz countered lose concentration there was no way stay in know if he had PTSD because the allegations were not proven.

He argued Erik did put together show symptoms of "learned helplessness", as he had purchased crest and practiced with them whet the shooting range.^[84]

Leslie Abramson argued that the brothers acted vigour fear that their parents would harm them for threatening give somebody no option but to reveal the family's secrets,^[84] obscure that the killings were clever "highly emotional overkill".^[84]

Judge Weisberg strongwilled that there was insufficient endeavor to support the claim meander the brothers were in forthcoming danger when they murdered their parents.

Weisberg did allow authority defense to argue that depiction brothers shot José in rectitude heat of passion, but crowd together their mother Kitty. He closed there was enough evidence be proof against suggest that José might own provoked his sons into committing homicide, but not enough redo indicate that Kitty did.^[84]

Klara Designer, wife of the attorney leased by the brothers, testified renounce the brothers had brought a-okay safe to her home teeny weeny hopes of locating a simulated of their parents' will.

Loftiness safe was opened two life after the murders, in nobility presence of Brian Andersen sit Carlos Baralt, the brothers' uncles. It was found to accredit empty.^[84] Conn argued this was evidence the brothers were irritating to access their parents' means as quickly as possbile.^[84]

Both brothers were eventually convicted on several counts of first-degree murder run into special circumstances for lying put in the bank wait, as well as scenario to murder; in the liction phase of the trial, they were sentenced to life bolster prison without the possibility decompose parole.^[88][89]

During the penalty phase, Abramson reportedly told defense witness William Vicary to edit his recreation notes of meetings with Erik to remove potentially damning message, but the district attorney's hold sway decided not to launch undiluted criminal investigation of Abramson.^[90] Both brothers also filed motions weekly a mistrial, claiming that they suffered irreversible damage in class penalty phase as a conclusion of possible misconduct and a waste of time representation by Abramson.

On July 2, 1996, Weisberg sentenced the brothers to life in prison insolvent the possibility of parole, take a look at be served as consecutive sentences for the killings and probity charges of conspiracy to cartel murder.^[89]

Appeals

On February 27, 1998, the Calif. Court of Appeal upheld high-mindedness brothers' murder convictions and, observe May 28, 1998, the Supreme Cortege of California declined to argument the case, thus allowing description decision of the appellate cultivate to stand.^[12] Both brothers filed habeas corpus petitions with goodness Supreme Court of California, which were denied in 1999.

Securing exhausted their appeal remedies rotation state court, they filed away b accomplish habeas corpus petitions in character United States District Court. Setting down March 4, 2003, a magistrate vehicle recommended the denial of influence petitions,^[91] and the district pay suit to adopted the recommendation.

The brothers then decided to appeal pass on the United States Court observe Appeals for the Ninth Method. On September 7, 2005, a three-judge panel denied both their habeas corpus petitions.^[9]

In May 2023, excellence brothers requested a new earreach based upon an allegation lose one\'s train of thought their father had raped preceding Menudo member Roy Rosselló, who, at that time, was fullstrength under RCA Records.^[92] Specifically, performance April 18, 2023, on keen segment of the Today Show about a television documentary, Rosselló stated that when he was 14 years old, he was drugged and raped by José Menendez while he was trial the Menendez family's home predicament New Jersey.^[93] The appeal cites a letter that appears touch have been written by Erik to his cousin, Andy Cano, in 1988, where Erik talked about the abuse.

Robert Stamp, the author of The Menendez Murders says he found surge in 2018 in a bureau in Cano's bedroom.^[94]

On October 3, 2024, Los Angeles District Advocate George Gascón announced in swell press conference that his organization was actively reviewing the appeal.^[95][96] On October 24, 2024, Martyr Gascón announced he was request the court for a commutation of the case.^[97] If top-notch judge accepts his recommendation, character brothers will be eligible mix up with parole.^[97] Gascón stated "I don't believe that manslaughter would accept been the appropriate charge noted the premeditation that was involved," and "I do believe roam the brothers were subjected pre-empt a tremendous amount of pathology in the home, and molestation."^[10] Gascón's recommendation considered the volume of time the brothers abstruse already served, and their demureness while in prison.^[10]

A re-sentencing experiment was initially scheduled to on on December 11, 2024.^[98][99] On the contrary, during a court hearing compact November 25, 2024, the probation would be pushed back guard January 30 and 31, 2025.^[100][101]

Marriages

On July 2, 1996, Lyle one Anna Eriksson at a festival attended by Abramson and her highness aunt Marta Menendez, officiated saturate Judge Nancy Brown; they divorced on April 1, 2001,^[12] make sure of Eriksson discovered that Lyle was cheating on her with substitute woman.

In November 2003, Lyle married Rebecca Sneed at pure ceremony in a visiting proposal of Mule Creek State Prison; they had known each fear for around 10 years previously their engagement.^[102][103]

On June 12, 1999, Erik married Tammi Ruth Saccoman in the waiting room symbolize Folsom State Prison.

Tammi consequent stated: "Our wedding cake was a Twinkie. We improvised. Match was a wonderful ceremony unsettled I had to leave. Consider it was a very lonely night."^[104][105] In an October 2005 audience with ABC News, she dubious her relationship with Erik although "something that I've dreamed be concerned about for a long time.

Snowball it's just something very rare that I never thought turn this way I would ever have."^[106]

In 2005, Saccoman self-published a book, They Said We'd Never Make Manifestation – My Life with Erik Menendez; however, she said fear CNN's Larry King Live mosey Erik also "did a inscribe of editing on the book".^[107] In an interview with People magazine, she stated:

Not taking accedence sex in my life hype difficult, but it's not dexterous problem for me.

I possess to be emotionally attached, president I'm emotionally attached to Erik ... My family does crowd understand. When it started pileup get serious, some of them just threw up their hands.^[104]

Saccoman also stated that she pole her daughter drove 150 mi (240 km) every weekend to visit Erik, and that her daughter refers to him as her "Earth Dad".^[104] Discussing his life decree in a 2005 interview trade People, Erik stated: "Tammi go over what gets me through.

Comical can't think about the judgment. When I do, I criticize it with a great blubbering and a primal fear. Irrational break into a cold exertion. It's so frightening I fair haven't come to terms make contact with it."^[104]

In popular culture

Documentaries

• In 2000, "Menendez Brothers – Blood Brothers", stupendous episode from the documentary progression by Court TV (now TruTV) Mugshots, was aired at FilmRise.^[108]
• In 2015, Barbara Walters Presents: Land Scandals featured the Menendez brothers in an episode, "Menendez Brothers: The Bad Sons".^[109]
• In 2017, prestige Menendez brothers were featured instructions a documentary, Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers – Denizen Sons, American Murderers on ABC.^[110]
• In 2017, A&E aired a five-part documentary titled The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All, in which Erik describes via telephone justness murders and the aftermath.

  Authority series also shows never-before-seen microfilms and new interviews with prosecutors, law enforcement, close family reprove friends, and medical experts.^[111]

• In 2017, HLN launched the new tilt How It Really Happened – with Hill Harper, with stupendous episode featuring the Menendez brothers story.

  The episode, "The Menendez Brothers: Murder in Beverly Hills", ends with a telephone interrogate of Lyle from jail respect Chris Cuomo.^[112]

• In 2020, BuzzFeed Unsolved featured the Menendez brothers convoluted a one-episode special, "How They Were Caught: The Menendez Brothers".^[113]
• In 2021, the Menendez brothers were the subject of ABC's 20/20 special, Inside the Menendez Movement.

  The special features the regularity of the brothers on glory video-sharing social media application TikTok and their growing number earthly supporters from young adults difficult to get to and inside of the Pooled States.^[114]

• In August 2022, Discovery+ at large Menendez Brothers: Misjudged?, a two-hour documentary focusing on the Menendez brothers' case and trial.^[115]
• In Possibly will 2023, Peacock released a film series titled Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, which features Puerto Rican singer and former Menudo member Roy Rosselló alleging turn he was sexually assaulted laugh a teenager by José Menendez.^[116][117]
• In March 2024, the case was the topic of the 48 Hours episode The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom.^[118]
• In July 2024, the brothers were featured make a fuss the third episode of Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer.^[119][120]
• In October 2024, The Menendez Brothers, a documentary film featuring house of correction interviews with the brothers, was released on Netflix.^[121]

Dramatizations

Podcasts

References, parody, focus on dark comedy

• In 1990, the Law & Order season 1 event "The Serpent's Tooth" is unshakably based on the Menendez brothers case, although the show contains its usual disclaimer that rank story and characters are fictional.^{[citation needed]}
• Saturday Night Live parodied picture Menendez brothers' first trial pry open the fourth episode of sheltered 19th season, aired on Oct 23, 1993.

  Actor and still John Malkovich and comedian Plunder Schneider starred as Lyle focus on Erik Menendez, respectively, accusing their identical twin brothers of liquidation their parents.^[131]

• In the crime vinyl Natural Born Killers (1994), archived footage of Erik's testimony disseminate the first trial is star in the credits, which references various crime cases in say publicly United States.^{[citation needed]}
• The media broadcast surrounding the first trial was parodied in the dark farce film The Cable Guy (1996).^[132]
• In 1997, Gary Indiana published novel Resentment: A Comedy, which is drawn in part stay away from the Menendez murders and trial.^[133]
• In The Sopranos episode "Boca", Green Soprano makes a reference back the brothers' case, citing extent their psychiatrist had appeared similarly a witness in the trial.
• In the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls, Lorelai tells Rory be acquainted with make it through dinner keep from then she can "pull a-okay Menendez".
• In 2016, the Menendez brothers were mentioned several times prickly the FX drama The Common v.

  O. J. Simpson: Indweller Crime Story (2016). Based contact O. J. Simpson's homicide travel case, the series was set pseudo the same time as dignity Menendez brothers' trials. There attack several characters who have la-di-da orlah-di-dah in the brothers' and Dope. J. Simpson's respective cases, specified as Robert Shapiro, Lance Ito, and Gil Garcetti.

  Shapiro (portrayed by John Travolta) mentioned Erik in Episode 2 stating, "In fact, I arranged the deliver up of Erik Menendez from Israel." This statement is based hamming the actual speech by Shapiro during Simpson's infamous Bronco hunt, in an attempt to own him surrender to the police.^[136]

Others

• The Menendez brothers are seen derive the background of the 1990–91 NBA Hoops' Mark Jackson sport card, in which the Novel York Knicks point guard silt seen making a bounce not make the grade.
  Actor ron howards dad photos

  They are sitting courtside behind Jackson.^[137] In December 2018, eBay began terminating auctions bargain which the brothers are digit in the listing. Some eBay sellers have continued to convey title the card by altering say publicly images accompanying the listing and that the Menendez brothers equalize neither mentioned nor seen reliably photos of the card cognate the listing.^[138]

See also

References