With Fresh Eyes: The Menendez Brothers

/

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

The 1990s Lyle and Erik Menendez murder trial was an international media spectacle. The case involved two young boys aged 18 and 21 killing their wealthy parents; why wouldn’t it be? On August 20th, 1989, Erik and Lyle shot their parents, José and Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. The brothers remained free for eight months until Erik confessed to the killings to his therapist, leading to their arrest in March 1990.

The Trial

During the trial in 1993, many family members, friends, teachers, and more testified their experiences with the family, describing their knowledge (or lack of) of abuse, unfair treatment and concerns about the punishments the brothers were receiving.

Diane Vander Molen, a cousin, has been an advocate for the brothers since the case first opened. In an interview with ABC News, Vander Molen describes an instance when Lyle, 8 at the time, told her about abuse going on between him and his father: “[Lyle] became very serious about asking me if he could sleep in the other bed next to mine and saying that he was afraid to sleep in his own bed because his father and him had been touching each other down there, indicating that it was his genital area.” Claims of sexual abuse and aggressive treatment are supported by several family members, friends, roommates and more.

Lyle and Erik’s testimonies are a difficult watch. From enduring sexual, verbal and emotional abuse starting from age 6, to being held underwater in swimming pools and being repeatedly beaten by their parents, the jury was faced with a tough decision. Although, nothing went very far. With a deadlocked jury not being able to convict, the brothers had to attend a second trial from 1995 to 1996. During the trial, the judge ruled that any claims of sexual abuse should be excluded and the number of witnesses should be limited regarding the allegations of abuse. In less than a week, Lyle & Erik were sentenced to first degree murder and life in prison without the possibility of parole, which they have been serving for 35 years. In the eyes of a new generation, this seems incredibly unfair, but during the 90s, the two brothers were seen as stone-cold killers who did it for money. What has changed?

“I told him that I didn’t want to do this and that it hurt me. And he said that he didn’t mean to hurt me and he loved me … But I still didn’t want to do it. ”
— Lyle Menendez during a testimony about his father's molestation

Generational Shift

The complexities of abuse, mental health and trauma are seen differently than they were in the 90s. This generation is reevaluating the Menendez brothers’ case with a new sense of empathy and perspective. The conversations around abuse, particularly sexual, physical and emotional, has evolved, and society is now more likely to consider the psychological impact of long-term trauma.

PHOTO BY AP PHOTOS

Younger voices are challenging the legal system for inefficiently addressing the abuse claims. These factors don’t excuse the violence but encourage a deeper understanding of the motives behind the killings. The Menendez brothers were brutally molested, abused, tormented, mocked and vilified by their parents from incredibly young ages. In an interview with Vanity Fair in October 2024, Kitty’s sister continues to show compassion towards what her nephews went through: “They didn’t deserve any of this. They were used and abused, and there seems to be no end to it.”

The “abuse excuse” narrative seems to have a harder time working in this generation, especially when the victims feel trapped and helpless. Younger individuals recognize that endless abuse can distort a person’s perception of danger, leading them to act in ways that are extreme but are, in their minds, necessary for survival. Lyle & Erik were groomed into the lifestyle they lived and had no room to live without fear. The support surrounding the brothers today is constantly growing, many believing they have served their time. The call to free them has never been louder.

In October 2024, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced his office is reviewing new evidence in the Menendez murder case, which could lead to resentencing or a new trial. The new evidence includes a 1988 letter written by Erik sent to a cousin describing the abuse by his father and new abuse allegations by Roy Rosselló, a former member of Menudo, against José. Will these revelations set the Menendez brothers free?

“I’ve been trying to avoid dad. It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now. … Every night I stay up thinking he might come in. … I’m afraid … He’s crazy. He’s warned me a hundred times about telling anyone, especially Lyle.”
— Erik Menendez in a letter to cousin Andy Cano, 1988
 

Photo by the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California.

 

Rachael LeBlanc is a student at Algonquin College currently studying in the Professional Writing program. She has moved across Canada throughout her life and currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario. She has a passion for poetry, fashion, ancient history and competitive horseback riding. With a strong interest in writing about true crime and all of the thought-provoking, gripping stories that come with it, Rachael is determined to captivate audiences with the ghoulish details of true crime and horror.