As a longtime fan of Ryan Murphy’s gripping storytelling, I must say that the past two weeks have been nothing short of riveting. The latest development in the Menendez brothers’ case, with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announcing a review for possible resentencing, has added an unexpected twist to the already captivating drama unfolding on our screens.
Over the past fortnight following Ryan Murphy’s release of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” things have certainly not been quiet or ordinary.
Following the airing of a nine-part series on Netflix, which depicted and sometimes sensationalized the 1989 murder of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons, the Menendez family expressed disapproval. Millions of Netflix subscribers tuned in, and even Kim Kardashian visited the California prison where the Menendez brothers are currently serving life sentences without parole. However, things took an intriguing turn on Thursday. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón revealed that their case was being re-examined for potential re-sentencing, due to allegations of abuse made by the Menendez brothers against their deceased parents. These accusations were disregarded during the trial leading to their convictions but have been strengthened by the portrayal in Murphy’s Netflix drama and other significant developments. Additionally, it’s worth noting that a well-known advocate for prison reform published an opinion piece advocating for their release.
Murphy, who’s been exceptionally busy with the launch of six new shows within a span of just 10 days, called Kardashian on Thursday night to share updates and give her a sneak peek at the latest series. He also shared his doubts that the disgruntled Menendez family members haven’t actually watched the entire show yet.
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This has all happened relatively quickly.
This paradoxical situation holds true: It exists, yet it doesn’t fully. Today’s revelation surrounding it is intriguing. When we create content like this, we rely on our sources and engage with individuals. I had previously learned that a significant number of viewers have been reaching out to the governor’s office and the district attorney’s office regarding this topic. Our show has drawn attention to this case, casting it in a bright, intense light. Many people have expressed strong feelings about it, showing their outrage.
Perhaps this wasn’t your initial plan, but it seems like the possibility of reopening this case might have come up eventually. Was this something you had hoped for from the beginning?
In a different context, here’s how the text could be rephrased:
A few weeks prior to the release, my buddy Kim reached out and wanted to watch it. I showed her a preview, and she admitted she was unaware of many aspects. It seems a lot of people share that sentiment.
Were you aware that essay was coming out today?
As a gamer, I was unaware of Kim’s dedication to prison reform until recently. But let me tell you, what she’s doing is truly inspiring. I wholeheartedly back her efforts. She visited a correctional facility to engage with numerous individuals and that’s where she encountered Erik and Lyle.
Did you get any indication that Gascon was going to make this announcement today?
I had no idea. Again, I’ve talked to people. I know that there’s been a huge amount of public pressure. But people have been working tirelessly on behalf of these brothers for a very long time — people who believe that the sexual abuse angle should have been examined more thoroughly. Some of it has just come to light should be reexamined. But the timing of this announcement and Kim, I do think about the power of television to a large degree. There’s something very powerful about watching these true-life stories. I’ve seen that time and time again with my career. Look what Sarah Paulson did and how that show rehabilitated Marcia Clark’s reputation in the court of public opinion. And it’s not always true life. Look at what Glee did for advocacy.
Let me ask you this: Was the whole series watched by the family, as far as your understanding goes?
No, no, no. I don’t think you would release a statement like that after you watched episode five. Episode five is basically a multimillion-dollar infomercial for the case to be re-examined — which is now happening. I never understood it. As I’ve said, this show is the best thing that’s happened to those brothers in 30 years because it just put a spotlight on their case. You can say it wasn’t the true story — and I think a lot of it was the true story — but we’ll never know the true story. I knew all of that was coming before the show even came, because Tammi Menendez had written me a very hot email almost a year ago — claiming that we were showcasing the wrong monsters. I didn’t even respond to her. Just wait until you see episode five. Let’s see if you change your tune. Sadly, they apparently didn’t do that. That’s on them, not on me.
It leaves one questioning what will transpire next, as it appears that district attorney’s offices frequently reopen cases, yet they seldom seem to progress beyond that point.
It seems to me there’s a substantial amount of proof that strongly supports their case, and Kim Kardashian’s advocacy in this matter cannot be ignored. She doesn’t take on every cause, but when she does, it’s carefully considered. From my perspective, this situation feels unique. However, you make a valid point – sometimes things just suddenly come to light. I believe we’ve seen a string of quiet successes, and I think they deserve their day in court with the new evidence presented. Ultimately, it will be up to the courts to decide what is fair. That’s how our justice system should function, isn’t it?
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2024-10-04 05:24