As a gamer who’s been through countless virtual lives and worlds, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of empathy for Cooper Koch and his unique journey into the heart of darkness that is the Menendez brothers’ story. Meeting Erik Menendez face-to-face must have felt like stepping into an alternate reality, where good and evil blur together in ways that even the most immersive video games can barely capture.
Convicted murderer Erik Menendez may have had harsh condemnation of Ryan Murphy’s controversial Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, over its multifaceted portrayal of his and brother Lyle Menendez’s murder of their parents in 1989 and the criminal trials that followed. But the California inmate, who is behind bars for life, had high praise for the actor who portrays him when the two met face-to-face during a prison visit last week brokered by Kim Kardashian.
Actor Cooper Koch, renowned for his role in a popular TV show, shared with The Hollywood Reporter that upon visiting the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility to discuss prison reform and collaborate on the Menendez brothers’ large-scale mural project at the San Diego County complex, he had an instant connection with the character he plays, feeling newfound empathy in his award-winning portrayal.
Inside the gymnasium of a correctional facility, I encountered Erik. Our gazes met, he smiled, I returned it, and we shared a warm embrace. The moment was incredibly intense and moving. It was an unforgettable encounter,” Koch remarked, noting that both Erik and Lyle Menendez were present at the event. “They were remarkably kind individuals, and they seemed so ordinary.
Koch found himself in a sudden, bustling situation when Kardashian unexpectedly contacted him via FaceTime a few days prior to their trip, which coincided with the series’ premiere on Netflix. Since 2018, Kardashian has been an advocate for those incarcerated, inspired by a viral Mic.com video of Alice Johnson, a then-prisoner serving a life sentence for drug trafficking. The trip was arranged to visit R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility, where the Menendez brothers were working on a massive 1,000-foot long mural adorning the concrete walls of a section called Echo Yard.
I recently had a private conversation with Erik Menendez, and he took some time to appreciate the work I’ve been doing over the past year, portraying him as a sympathetic victim of abuse. Interestingly enough, he hasn’t even watched the series yet, but still commended me for it. (I was speaking with THR about this unique interaction.)
Erik began by telling me, ‘I can see you’re doing well. Your performance in episode five [“The Hurt Man”] was fantastic, and I plan on watching it. However, it’s tough for me,'” Koch remembered Erik saying during the series’ emotionally charged bottle episode where Koch’s character Erik discusses his father’s alleged sexual and emotional abuse. “Later, we talked about this challenging topic, which was quite unexpected for me.
According to Koch, they discussed the criticism the show has faced due to controversial historical revisions in its script, which some view as problematic. Shortly after Monsters premiered on Netflix, Erik Menendez publicly stated that their portrayal was overly simplified and didn’t accurately reflect the facts of his and his brother’s lives, although it may not have been intended negatively.
After some time passed, I found myself standing my ground in defense of the gripping series and its intricate portrayal of the brothers’ situation, which delves into various theories and even hints at the controversial suggestion of incest between them – a concept initially proposed by reporter Dominick Dunne. This week, the verbal sparring match escalated when over two dozen relatives of the Menendez brothers publicly condemned the series as a “character assassination,” claiming that its inaccuracies have harmed not just the brothers, but their entire family. Unwavering, I reiterated my stance that this show is the most significant development for the brothers in three decades, given the renewed interest in their case.
In a conversation with THR, Koch expressed empathy towards his comments, acknowledging he could relate to the challenge of personal struggles being dramatized on television. He conveyed his support for the individual, sharing his understanding of how challenging it must be to have sensitive aspects of one’s life depicted in such a manner.
Over time, the Menendez brothers have exhausted all available appeals, resigning themselves to serve out their lives in prison without the chance of parole. However, a recent development has emerged: their father is facing accusations of sexual abuse by a former member of the ’80s boy band Menudo, and investigative author Robert Rand discovered compelling evidence suggesting that José Menendez may have been abusing his sons. Now, through a habeas corpus petition, there’s a possibility for the Menendez brothers to receive a new sentence for their 1989 crime. This potential re-sentencing could potentially reduce their punishment to time served and grant them freedom after spending 30 years in prison.
Koch said that he very much hopes this becomes a reality for the brothers.
He comments on the impressive work done within prisons by these individuals. Among them, Erik provides meditation instruction and speech lessons. They are truly remarkable people, he adds. In earlier times, it was difficult for many to accept the idea of male-on-male sexual abuse. A more palatable notion was that they had murdered their parents for financial gain. However, with the passage of time, I believe people have become more receptive to the idea that such an event actually occurred.
Koch mentioned that the brothers had a surprising ally after serving as exemplary prisoners for many years at the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility, through their advocacy.
Koch stated to THR that the warden personally expressed his contentment about having them as neighbors, and even went so far as to say he’d feel at ease with them watching his kids. I believe this speaks volumes!
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-09-28 16:55