The two American brothers, who murdered their parents in the late 1980s, have been sentenced to life in prison. But while season 2 of Monsterswhich is dedicated to them, is currently a hit on Netflix, the Menendez case will be examined again by the courts and the creator of the series even estimates that they could be released before the end of the year.
After nearly thirty years behind bars, the Menendez brothers will have a new chance to defend their case before American justice. Sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of their parents in 1989, the two criminals will be heard again during a dedicated hearing on November 29, when new elements have been discovered. This decision comes as season 2 of the series Monsters, The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendezis currently a hit on Netflix, despite numerous controversies.
New evidence to examine
In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered their parents in their Beverly Hills home. Although they initially claimed their innocence, they were finally arrested in 1990, before being tried in July 1996, and sentenced to life in prison, without parole.
They quickly testified that this crime was motivated by the sexual, psychological and physical abuse they suffered from both parents since childhood. A defense which did not allow them to obtain a lighter sentence at the time.
But this decision could experience a new outcome, since new evidence has been entrusted to American justice. These include a letter that Erik Menendez allegedly wrote several months before the murder of his parents, in which he details the incest he suffered at the hands of his father, José Menendez.
Roy Rosselo, a former member of the boy band Menudo also testified, claiming that José Menendez drugged and raped him when he was a teenager.
A decision to be taken with a pinch of salt
Thursday October 3, 2024, exactly two weeks after the release of season 2 of Monstersdevoted to the case of the two brothers, the Los Angeles County prosecutor, George Gascón, therefore announced that a hearing will be held on November 29in order to examine these new elements.
It must be said that justice has evolved considerably since the last trial of the two brothers. Cases of incest and sexual violence are thus taken more seriously today, even if the road ahead still remains long for the victims.
This does not mean that Lyle and Erik Menendez will be released from prison: for the moment, it is simply a matter of considering this evidence, and then deciding whether a new trial should take place.
The creator of the series MonstersRyan Murphy, who never misses an opportunity to put himself forward in this matter, predicted from the media Variety that the Menendez brothers “will be released from prison before Christmas”. A statement to be taken with a grain of salt, since the showrunner is absolutely not a legal expert.
His series, surrounded by controversy since its release, was also strongly criticized by the real Erik Menendez himself, who felt that it depicted a dishonest and harmful representation of his story.
Source: www.numerama.com
