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- What Is Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed About?
- Will This Docuseries and The Rosselló Case Help Them?
- Menendez + Menundo Provides Crucial Context
As someone who has been deeply moved by the stories of those who have suffered at the hands of powerful figures, I found “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed” to be a gripping and emotionally charged documentary. Hearing Rosselló’s account was indeed jarring, and it brought a new perspective to the story of Jose Menendez, a man whose alleged actions have left lasting impacts on many lives.
“Monsters” – The Menendez Brothers Story is generating considerable excitement as one of Fall 2024’s most awaited series. As a second part in Ryan Murphy’s “Monster” biographical true crime anthology for Netflix, the initial installment being “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” this nine-episode season offers a completely distinct narrative.
The case caught national attention as the trial proceeded. The young men did not deny brutally murdering their parents, and the public was disgusted by their remorseless behavior afterward. That included spending large sums of money to live lavishly with their parents’ funds. But during the trial, the brothers also alleged a history of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at home. Murphy’s series appears to be prepared to tackle both sides of the coin. But before watching, it’s worth checking out Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed on Peacock, which provides new, shocking information for additional perspective.
What Is Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed About?
Many people know about the popular Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, which in the ’80s included future pop sensation Ricky Martin among its members. The structure of the band is straightforward: boys are recruited into the group, and as they reach maturity, they are replaced by new ones. This strategy is genius for maintaining the band’s longevity, and it has proven effective for several decades.
However, for nearly as long as the group “Menudo” has been active, its long-term manager Edgardo Díaz has faced both subtle and direct allegations of sexual misconduct. In the book “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed“, former member Roy Rosselló shares his experience, making him one of the few former members to publicly speak out about such issues.
How is this related to the Menendez case? There seems to be a connection that not everyone recognizes. José Menendez was an executive at RCA Records with a passion for boy bands. He frequently spent time with Díaz and the boys, as mentioned by Rosselló, finding their energy appealing and enjoying their music. However, according to Rosselló, Menendez’s interactions went beyond that.
According to Rosselló, he supports Lyle and Erik’s tales by stating that Díaz frequently sexually assaulted him during their time in the band, and additionally gave him to Menendez for abuse on numerous instances. Since Rosselló claims to have gone through such ordeals, and having observed the Menendez brothers when they were young, he is convinced of their honesty.
Regardless of the reasons behind their actions, such horrific acts against their parents cannot be justified. The murderous act involved shooting their father six times, including once in the back of his head. Their mother, Kitty, was shot 10 times, with the last bullet striking her in the face as she lay on the ground. However, this disclosure lends support to the belief that this was a crime fueled by hatred and emotion rather than a quest for their parents’ wealth.
Rosselló, who was also a victim, offers understanding towards the Menendez brothers in the documentary “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed”, despite their questionable actions.
Will This Docuseries and The Rosselló Case Help Them?
In the documentary, Rosselló expressed his readiness to support the boys in justifying their actions, particularly their claims of self-defense, should it be feasible. On the other hand, the brothers assert that they took action following threats against their father’s exposure and fearing for their lives as he might have harmed them.
Rosselló remembers feeling like he was being used by Menendez as a condition for a record deal, implying that the mistreatment was an added bonus to make the agreement more appealing. He had frequently seen Lyle and Erik in the house and had a gut feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
In simpler terms, the Menendez brothers’ trial started with a mistrial due to insufficient evidence for their allegations of sexual abuse. This made it impossible to pursue a charge of manslaughter instead of murder. However, crucial testimonies that could have backed them, such as from two cousins who said they were told about the abuse years ago, were not allowed in court. Any testimony that was accepted, like the one from their cousin Andy Cano, whom Erik shared his confidences with, was dismissed as falsehoods.
During the time of the murders, Rosselló had been out of Menudo for ten years. Yet, he and other victims remained silent due to fear of Diaz’s influence and the embarrassment that nothing would come of it. However, their perspective changed upon hearing Erik and Lyle’s testimonies and accusations in court.
Menendez + Menundo Provides Crucial Context
Regardless of which perspective viewers take or if they find themselves believing elements of both narratives, watching “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed” offers valuable insight into who Jose Menendez was and the accusations against him concerning a young boy not related to his immediate family. The firsthand account from Rosselló is shocking and profoundly moving.
In an interview with CBS News, Lyle Menendez expressed that he shed tears upon learning about Rosello’s story and its potential implications for their situation. He explained, “For me, it was deeply significant to learn things that made people understand, at least this aspect of the truth is valid.” Lyle recalls the members of the boy band Menudo visiting their home, although he does not specifically remember Rosello. However, he mentioned that while his father primarily handled contract negotiations with the band, he occasionally attended their concerts and even traveled with them on occasion. Until rumors surfaced about the band and Diaz’s alleged misconduct, Lyle had not given these events much thought.
Besides the information presented in this documentary, recently discovered evidence may further aid the boys’ case. A letter believed to have been written by Erik in 1988 to his cousin Andy Cano, written eight months before the crime, hints at abuse. The letter, which CBS News shared a copy of, initially appears to be a casual conversation about current events, but Erik mentions, “I’ve been avoiding Dad. It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now…Every night I stay up worrying he might come in…I’m afraid…He’s unstable. He’s threatened me many times not to tell anyone, especially Lyle.
This recently discovered evidence, such as Rosello’s claims, might not clear Lyle and Erik Menendez entirely from the horrific crimes they confessed to committing. However, it could imply that a manslaughter charge instead of murder would be more appropriate, along with a less severe sentence. Since Cano passed away in 2003, he can no longer validate the letter’s authenticity. The fact that he didn’t mention this during the trial has raised some concerns.
Regardless of Rosello’s claims in “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed,” district attorney Jackie Lacey believes that his testimony wouldn’t have affected the verdict. The brothers’ actions after the crime and the apparent premeditated nature of the murders were particularly shocking aspects of the case. Even though it seems they had been severely abused throughout their lives, there’s no clear indication they were in immediate danger at the time of the killings. As Lacey tells CBS News, “When you carefully examine the facts surrounding the murder, it’s a case of murder.
Title rephrased: Investigating the Menendez Brothers’ Tale: “Monsters – The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
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2024-09-19 00:01