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- The Shocking Crime Behind Netflix’s Monsters
- Lyle and Erik Menendez’s Confession to Their Therapist
- What Happened to Dr. Oziel?
As a seasoned therapist myself, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of empathy for Dr. Jerome Oziel. The man found himself entangled in a web of deceit and scandal that would make even the most resilient souls tremble. His life took an unexpected turn when he became a key figure in the infamous Menendez brothers’ story, a tale as dark and twisted as a labyrinth filled with shadows.
As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but get swept away into the enchanting universes of shows like “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” where we journey together with Emily in exploring the romantic streets of Rome in “Emily in Paris,” or experience heart-pounding action in “Rebel Ridge.” Netflix consistently offers an exhilarating cinematic experience, but it’s their true crime genre that truly shines. They churn out compelling true-crime documentaries at a pace reminiscent of fresh bread coming hot from the bakery oven, captivating viewers with the dark and fascinating tales behind some of the most chilling real-life murders ever committed.
One of Netflix’s most contentious films is the recently premiered drama titled “Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez“, which delves into a shocking true-life murder that occurred more than three decades ago. The brothers could have easily escaped justice for their heinous act, but it was ultimately their guilt that led to trouble. In particular, 18-year-old Erik found solace in therapy sessions with Dr. Oziel, who would eventually become instrumental in their apprehension.
The Shocking Crime Behind Netflix’s Monsters
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story revisits a shocking night in August 1989 when the brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez displayed their acting talents during a chilling phone call, claiming that their parents had been brutally murdered. While the 911 call suggested the scene at the Menendez residence was gruesome, police were stunned upon discovering the bodies of José and Kitty Menendez, riddled with gunshot wounds across various body parts such as the head and face. When investigators asked who had killed José and Kitty Menendez, Lyle and Erik quickly pointed fingers at the mafia due to their father’s prominent business status. However, the true tale behind the Menendez murders was revealed to be far more sinister than initially thought.
It was uncovered that Lyle and Erik were the real culprits of a heinous crime that sent shockwaves throughout the nation. In a desperate attempt to change the course of events, the two Menendez brothers eventually confessed to having murdered their own parents. After devising a strategy and purchasing two shotguns, they returned to their home and brutally took the lives of their parents. The controversial Netflix series implied that Erik and Lyle might have had an incestuous relationship, but Erik Menendez denied this claim. During the actual trial, their defense argued that Lyle and Erik had been physically abused by their father and mother for most of their lives, and due to extreme trauma and a highly toxic relationship between parents and offspring, it was alleged that the Menendez brothers believed José and Kitty were plotting to kill them.
The fundamental idea was to turn the murder into self-defense, but the efforts failed. As for what happened with Erik and Lyle Menendez, both brothers are currently still serving life sentences for the murder of José and Kitty Menendez. The controversial story behind the brothers’ lives and the release of new evidence allegedly even led to Cooper Koch and Kim Kardashian visiting the Menendez brothers in prison since Kim is also known for her role as a prison reform activist.
Lyle and Erik Menendez’s Confession to Their Therapist
In the heart of both the debated Netflix series and the actual events lie the Menendez brothers. Their chilling crime and surrounding circumstances are meticulously examined. Notably, the brothers’ presumably troubled past is revealed through a harrowing single-shot episode starring Cooper Koch as Erik or unsettling dialogues between Lyle (portrayed by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik themselves. One of the pivotal disclosures comes from their therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, who is instrumental in the true events that form the basis of Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
During that period, Dr. Oziel, who was married, had an involvement with one of his patients, Judalon Smyth. He would sometimes discuss information from his therapy sessions with her. At the same time, Judalon was informed about Lyle and Erik’s confession, as well as the fact that Oziel had audio recordings of the Menendez brothers confessing to their crimes. Shortly after Lyle and Erik admitted to their crimes to their therapist, the pace of the murder investigation picked up dramatically.
One pivotal step in revealing who murdered José and Kitty Menendez was when Lyle and Erik’s therapist and his mistress parted ways. Subsequently, Judalon Smyth chose to approach the police in March 1990 and disclose all information about Dr. Oziel. She also recorded the Menendez brothers’ confession and unlawfully divulged confidential patient information to herself. During the trial, Judalon took it upon herself to further tarnish Oziel’s reputation by claiming he had brainwashed her, compelled her to take medication, and physically assaulted her.
A significant issue in making the decision to approve Lyle and Erik’s confession as key evidence for the trial was the strict rule regarding patient confidentiality. In a therapy setting, patients’ data is strictly confidential, meaning that the therapist in question is prohibited from sharing any form of information shared during a session. By contacting his then-mistress, Judalon Smyth, and informing her about Erik’s confession in October 1989, Dr. Oziel had already broken his patient’s confidentiality. Later in court, Jerome Oziel stated that he felt threatened by Lyle Menendez, which was regarded as a valid reason for his breach.
What Happened to Dr. Oziel?
Following Dr. Oziel’s involvement in the Menendez trials concluding, he relocated to another state. In 1997, his psychology license was revoked, a privilege that enabled his professional practice. The former therapist of the Menendez brothers maintains his innocence, and Jerry Oziel (formerly known as Jerome Oziel) is making efforts to distance himself from any connections to his work with Lyle and Erik Menendez. However, it remains uncertain how effective this separation will be, given the prospect of an upcoming Netflix documentary featuring the Menendez brothers, which may provide them an opportunity to discuss events in their personal narratives.
Despite having to abandon his previous profession, Oziel ultimately found a new interest and turned it into his career. Currently, he works at the Marital Mediation Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite facing numerous criticisms, particularly allegations of mistreating women, Oziel now hosts seminars there, where he assures women that he can guide them towards healthy relationships and help prevent divorces through mediation techniques. By the way, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is available on Netflix.
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2024-10-03 00:31