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- A Quick Recap of the Harrowing True Events in Monsters
- The Public and the Menendez Brothers Respond to Murphy’s Project
- The Movement to Release the Menendez Brothers
As a seasoned legal professional with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the Menendez brothers’ case is one that has always piqued my interest. Having represented countless clients in similar situations, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of empathy for their plight.
Ryan Murphy delves once more into the realm of true crime, this time crafting a dramatic series titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story“. This production serves as the second chapter in the duo’s anthology series following “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story“. The narrative unfolds around the brothers, Lyle and Erik Menedez, and the tumultuous trial that gripped the nation in 1989. The storyline explores the events leading to their murder conviction, which was sparked by revelations of their parents’ alleged sexual and emotional abuse. The series concludes with the brothers being handed life sentences without parole. To this day, opinions remain divided on whether this sentence represents justice or not.
The series, similar to Ryan Murphy’s portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer, has elicited diverse responses from viewers, as it delved into various viewpoints inspired by rumors surrounding the case during the trial. By shedding light on the traumatic events in a way that resonates with modern audiences, the series has reignited discussions about the brothers’ sentencing.
A Quick Recap of the Harrowing True Events in Monsters
In August 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez, aged 18 and 21 respectively, tragically took the lives of their parents, Kitty and José Menendez. Initially denying any involvement in the gruesome killings, the brothers were eventually apprehended when Erik made a shocking confession to his psychotherapist. Their trials took place separately in 1993 and together in 1995. A shocking truth surfaced during their defense, as it was claimed that the brothers had acted in self-defense, having suffered years of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse at the hands of their parents. However, the prosecution maintained that the brothers were motivated by greed and carried out the murders with the intention of inheriting their parents’ substantial fortune.
Initially, both trials ended inconclusively, but in 1996, they were found guilty of first-degree murder and given life imprisonment without the chance for parole. Their trial captivated the public, causing a whirlwind in the media, leaving many unsure about the truth. Soon after their sentencing, the brothers were separated and kept in different prisons for 22 years. In 2018, they were reunited at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, where they continue to serve their life sentences.
The Public and the Menendez Brothers Respond to Murphy’s Project
A Ryan Murphy production isn’t complete without stirring up some controversy. Some found the series disrespectful to those whose real-life stories it was based on, arguing that it didn’t accurately depict the trauma survivors of sexual abuse endure. There was a scene in the show suggesting the brothers engaged in an incestuous relationship, which the brothers claimed never occurred. Critics felt Murphy trivialized the allegations of abuse the brothers claim to have experienced, much like how the prosecution did during the trial.
One viewer condemned Murphy and wrote on X,
Transforming a tale of two siblings traumatized by their father’s sexual abuse into a narrative of incestuous desire is abhorrent.
User AdHd_IcedCoffee on Reddit wrote,
Murphy has gone overboard, and the excessive untruths in this final episode are simply appalling.” or “Murphy pushed things too much, the amount of falsehoods in the final episode is shockingly high.
Erik Menendez expressed strong disapproval towards Murphy’s decisions through a statement issued by his wife, Tammi Menendez.
I find it disheartening to discover that Netflix’s depiction of our crime’s tragedies appears to be misleading. This portrayal seems to roll back the painful truths by several steps, moving us back to a time when the prosecution constructed their narrative based on an outdated belief system. This system assumed men could not be sexually abused and that male rape trauma was experienced differently than in women.
It’s disheartening to realize that a single individual with influence can potentially erase years of advancement in revealing and addressing childhood trauma.
The Movement to Release the Menendez Brothers
Although it contains some errors, the series managed to captivate a fresh audience who were previously uninformed about the case. This new generation shows little tolerance for exploitation and abuse victims. The story of Lyle and Erik sparked Micailla Beachman to establish a Change.org petition titled “Appeal for Menendez Brothers.” Since 2019, this petition has garnered close to 350,000 signatures and continues to gain support since the series debut. In the petition, Beachman advocates for a retrial based on California Bill (AB593), which permits incarcerated individuals who were victims of abuse to submit a request for a writ of habeas corpus that challenges their initial convictions. The justice system has evolved in its understanding and empathy towards the subject of abuse, recognizing its intricacy by enacting laws that safeguard survivors.
Over time, the possibility of the Menendez brothers getting another trial significantly grew, reaching its peak in 2023 with the emergence of new evidence. Roy Rosselló, a former member of the band Menudo, claimed that José Menendez drugged and sexually assaulted him when he was just 14 years old. Additionally, a letter written by Erik to his cousin Andy surfaced, detailing the sexual abuse allegedly inflicted by their father eight months before the fateful night. As reported by the LA Times, the brothers submitted a petition in 2023 seeking a reevaluation of their case by the court.
During a conversation with PEOPLE, the brothers’ legal representative, Mark Geragos, talked about the prospect of reversing the brothers’ court rulings.
As a film enthusiast, I find myself in a unique position to analyze this situation. From my perspective, when it comes to a judge’s decision, they essentially have three options: they can reject the case, they can ask the District Attorney (DA) for more information, or they can take the unconventional route, which is exactly what happened here – issuing an order for the DA to provide an informal response. Over the past 15 months, this approach has been taken extremely seriously because we’ve managed to present substantial evidence to them, evidence that seems to have sparked their interest and prompted a more thoughtful response.
Geragos stated that the brothers express a guarded sense of hope, indicating that if this case were to occur today, it might not unfold in the same manner.
In most instances, this case I worked on today appears to be voluntary manslaughter. The sentencing can range from 20 years to 30 years, but societal attitudes change over time, and I believe as we become more understanding and evolved, people may come to see that the initial verdict might not have been entirely fair. A second look, with clearer thinking, might be necessary.
According to Los Angeles defense attorney Neama Rahmani, it’s extremely unlikely that they will be granted release based on the evidence presented in their case, which he described as a “Hail Mary” attempt.
In my viewpoint, what’s presented here seems insufficient. Additional supporting details, such as a similar history of abuse by the victim or corroborating statements, are usually required for a habeas petition to be accepted.
At present, the fate of the Menendez brothers is being decided by the California judicial system, with their potential release still under consideration. Meanwhile, the intriguing tale of the Menendez brothers has become a popular series titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which is now available for streaming on Netflix.
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2024-10-05 00:31