Monsters: The Lyle an Erik Menendez Story has brought newfound attention to Erik Menendez and Lyle Menéndez‘s case. The brothers have been imprisoned since 1996 for the murder of their parents, José Menéndez and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez, whom Lyle and Erik accused of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Now that a new generation is looking at their story with a new lens, could the brothers’ case be reopened? News47.us has compiled all the details and updates about their incarceration, below.
In August 1989, Lyle and Erik fatally shot their parents multiple times. The crime scene was gruesome since José was struck six times and Kitty was shot 10 times. The brothers were criticized for living a luxurious lifestyle in the months following their parents’ deaths. Erik eventually confessed to the murders to his therapist, Jerome Oziel, who confided in his then-mistress, Judalon Smyth. She informed police about Lyle and Erik’s involvement in the crime, and they were arrested in 1990.
After a mistrial, Lyle and Erik were officially convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder in 1996. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Lyle and Erik were sent to separate California prisons following their conviction. Both are still alive today and will speak out about their case in Netflix’s upcoming documentary, The Menendez Brothers, which premieres on October 7, 2024.
The brothers were held in separate prisons until 2018 when Lyle was moved to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. Though they were initially housed in separate units of the prison, Lyle and Erik were placed in the same unit in 2018. This was the first time the brothers had reunited in 22 years. According to multiple outlets, Lyle and Erik were prevented from talking to each other on the phone before they were reunited.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Lyle and Erik could receive a new sentence due to a habeas corpus petition. Although they’ve already appealed their convictions before, their late father was recently accused of sexual abuse by a band member of Menudo. Additionally, new evidence has come to light potentially proving that José had abused both of his sons.
In October 2024, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón confirmed that a new court hearing has been set for Lyle and Erik. Per Variety, the hearing is scheduled for November 29, 2024.
