What Happened To The Menendez Brothers After The Events Of Netflix’s Monsters?

As a seasoned observer of true crime narratives, I must say that the story of the Menendez brothers is one that has captivated me for years. Their lives have been marked by tragedy, courtroom drama, and now, a glimmer of hope for redemption.

“The Menendez Brothers: A Ryan Murphy Production

In conclusion to the miniseries, we see the siblings receiving their sentences and being placed in separate prisons following a detailed portrayal of the investigation, initial trial, retrial due to a deadlocked jury, and events that transpired before and during these incidents. However, the story of Erik and Lyle Menendez doesn’t end there. Since their sentencing in 1996, they have persisted in seeking justice by submitting appeals and petitions while serving their time. While incarcerated, both brothers have engaged in romantic relationships, taken part in documentaries, and joined rehabilitation programs. Let us delve into the post-trial lives of the Menendez brothers as depicted in Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

They filed several appeals after their sentencing

Following their life imprisonment verdict in 1996, the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, initiated various methods to challenge their convictions or receive another trial. This journey started with their initial appeals in 1998.

As a dedicated fan following the court proceedings of these brothers, I can share that in their appeals, they challenged several points they believed were problematic during their initial trial, pointing out perceived bias from the judge and concerns about the evidence admitted or excluded during the retrial. In a comprehensive, over 100-page decision, the Superior Court upheld the brothers’ convictions and dismissed their appeals. The ruling stated, “We find no misuse of discretion in the trial court’s decisions and confirm the convictions based on the strong evidence presented against the defendants at trial,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times. As their attorney for both trials, Leslie Abramson, told the outlet, “We anticipated this outcome. We knew the direction the wind would take.

In May 1998, the Menendez brothers elevated their appeals further, submitting them to the California Supreme Court. The court upheld their convictions with a 6-to-1 vote. However, the panel decided not to reevaluate the case, thereby preserving both the convictions and the ruling of the Appellate Court. Essentially, they chose to stand by the earlier decisions without intending to make a new judgment themselves.

They married their wives while in prison

Despite being imprisoned for life, Lyle and Erik Menendez found ways to carry on with their lives, including marriage. In 1999, Erik Menendez wed Tammi Ruth Saccoman within the confines of a prison visiting room. Their relationship began in 1993 when Saccoman wrote to Erik while she was still married to her first husband. As she put it in an interview with People in 2005, “I could see the pain in his eyes. I felt so sorry for him.” The two continued their correspondence even after Saccoman’s first husband passed away and as she grappled with emotions related to her previous marriage. Before they tied the knot, Saccoman visited Erik several times, starting in August 1997, eventually relocating near the prison so she could visit frequently. In 2005, Saccoman published a book chronicling their unique relationship titled “They Said We’d Never Make It.

In 2003, four years after the event, Erik’s brother tied the knot with Rebecca Sneed. This unique wedding ceremony occurred at Mule Creek State Prison, where Lyle was imprisoned. According to reports, the wedding took place in the visiting area of the prison, with approximately 12 family members and friends present as witnesses. Since Lyle’s initial arrest, he had maintained regular contact with Rebecca. As he shared in a 2017 interview with People, they spoke on the phone daily, sometimes multiple times a day. He described his marriage as stable and deeply involved, which provided him with a sense of support, tranquility, and happiness. However, in November 2024, Sneed took to Facebook to announce their separation, but she emphasized that they remained close friends and family members. It’s worth noting that Sneed was Lyle’s second wife. He had married Anna Eriksson, a former model, around 1996 or early 1997 (the exact date is disputed), right before his sentencing hearing according to some sources, while CNN reports the marriage took place in January 1997. The couple divorced in 2001.

They filed habeas corpus petitions

When they had no more choices for appeals left, the Menendez brothers submitted habeas corpus petitions. A habeas corpus petition is meant for people in prison to challenge their sentence or detention if they feel it doesn’t conform with established legal precedents. Lyle was the first to file such a petition with the California Supreme Court back in 1999, following the affirmation of their convictions during earlier appeals. However, this petition was rejected.

In 2003, the Menendez brothers submitted further habeas corpus petitions, which were turned down. These petitions were forwarded to federal courts, bypassing the California court system where their previous appeals were ongoing. The brothers claimed that certain evidence and testimony they weren’t allowed to present during their retrial could have potentially influenced the jury’s decision if it had been accepted in court. They also argued that tape recordings between Lyle, Erik, and their therapists should not have been considered as admissible evidence. Most of these issues originated from decisions made during their second trial.

They filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Following the rejection of their pleas in 2003, the Menendez brothers presented their habeas corpus appeals to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2005. These appeals address five distinct matters that the brothers and their legal team believe influenced their entitlement to fair trial procedures.

The filing argues that allowing the recorded sessions between the brothers and their therapist as admissible evidence, “the trial court’s decision not to instruct the jury on imperfect self-defense,” and that certain testimony was not allowed during the retrial were violations of the brothers’ rights to due process. The appeal also states that Lyle and Erik’s Sixth Amendment rights were violated because they weren’t allowed to have “certain lay and expert testimony” during the retrial that would give them the chance to present their defense. The final point of the appeal questions if Lyle’s right to due process was impacted “when the prosecutor commented on the lack of evidence regarding abuse and the lack of experts,” in which the experts weren’t allowed to testify and the evidence wasn’t allowed to be presented.

In 2005, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdicts handed down by the U.S. District Court regarding the Menendez brothers’ case. The appeal was rejected across all five points, indicating that the judges on the panel found no evidence of violations to the brothers’ rights as claimed in the appeal. The lawyers for the brothers referred to other legal proceedings they deemed pertinent and similar, but the Ninth Circuit felt that the circumstances were not analogous.

Erik was part of a docuseries

In 2017, Erik featured in a five-part documentary series by A&E, titled “The Menendez Murders: Erik Speaks Out.” This series primarily concentrates on Erik’s story, with phone conversations from jail forming a significant part. The perspective and evidence presented regarding Lyle are not the main focus of this series.

In this documentary titled “The Menendez Murders: Erik Speaks Out,” Erik shares insights into his life prior to the murder of his parents, as well as the court proceedings following his arrest. The series also features conversations with Erik’s wife Tammi, renowned journalist Larry King, reporter Linda Deutsch, former Los Angeles District Attorney Christopher Darden, and other experts and individuals closely associated with Erik and the case. By incorporating Erik’s interviews, archival footage, photographs, and personal anecdotes, the series offers a unique perspective on the case, focusing on Erik’s preparation for the trials. It does not aim to reexamine or present fresh evidence in the case, but rather to provide viewers with new insights into Erik’s life as told by him directly.

Erik expressed his desire to A&E in these words: “I wish to express myself so people can grasp a clearer picture. A more detailed account of the circumstances preceding my actions on August 20th, and ultimately, a full portrayal of what truly transpired in my life.” He continued, “The pain didn’t cease that night, despite its severity. It persisted for my family and lingers to this day. This sorrow is something I strive to alleviate for them, especially my parents, for the remainder of my existence.

They reunited in prison

The series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” concludes with the brothers going their separate ways, each driving towards their individual prisons in different vehicles. Initially kept apart for two decades, they served their life sentences in distinct institutions at first – Lyle in Mule Creek State Prison, which is close to Sacramento, California, and Erik in Folsom State Prison, roughly an hour from his brother’s location.

2013 saw Erik being shifted to Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, a facility close to San Diego. Lyle joined him at this facility on February 22, 2018. Initially, the Menendez brothers were kept in separate sections of the facility, so while they could potentially spot each other across the yard, they didn’t actually share living quarters. In April 2018, Lyle was relocated to Erik’s section, symbolizing their official reunion as they now resided together.

The brothers are accommodated at Echo Yard, a facility specifically created to aid inmates in their rehabilitation process. Inmates are relocated there following consistent good conduct and active participation in cooperative rehabilitation initiatives during their imprisonment. Residents of this unit can engage in various improvement projects, such as when the Menendez brothers were part of a team that painted a mural in 2020, join yoga sessions, and learn to train service animals.

They filed another habeas corpus petition

After all their previous appeals and requests were turned down, the Menendez brothers presented fresh documents in May 2023, based on recently discovered evidence that reinforces the abuse they suffered at the hands of their father. In a recently filed habeas corpus petition, they included a letter between Erik and his cousin detailing the abuse Erik endured from their father, as well as a statement from Roy Rosselló, a former member of the boy band Menudo. Moreover, this new evidence is supported by a newly passed California law that potentially permits the Menendez brothers to be re-sentenced.

According to CNN, the letter was initially discovered by the aunt (cousin’s mother) in 2018 and subsequently shared with Robert Rand, a journalist who extensively reported on the trials related to the case. Later, Rand gave the letter to Cliff Gardner, a former legal advisor for Erik. The letter provides evidence that the abuse happened quite recently around the time of the murders, which the defense team for the brothers had claimed during their initial trial.

In the documentary series “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed,” Roy Rosselló claimed that Jose Menendez, the father of Erik and Lyle and the RCA Records executive who signed Menudo, had sexually assaulted him. The three-part series suggests that Menudo’s manager Edgardo Diaz may have been involved in these alleged acts. According to Rolling Stone, Rosselló has provided a sworn statement about this abuse, which is included in the 2023 court petition.

Lyle earned his college degree

2024 saw Lyle discussing, via a virtual panel at CrimeCon, his achievement of earning his bachelor’s degree while incarcerated. As he was still serving his sentence during the convention, he participated through a phone call. According to People, Lyle shared, “I obtained my bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Irvine.” This marked the first time a University of California university collaborated with corrections to have a limited number of graduates. Lyle was fortunate enough to secure a spot in the program.

Lyle’s educational program is part of ongoing initiatives by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, aiming at genuine rehabilitation, justice, and safer communities across the state, which is known as the “California Model.” The elder Menendez brother belongs to the inaugural group of graduates from this program, all hailing from Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. At present, the only academic track available is a bachelor’s degree in sociology. This educational opportunity is made possible through the Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees (LIFTED) program and the partnership between the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the University of California system. Inmates can study to earn an associate’s degree in sociology at first, then transfer to UC Irvine to complete the remaining two years required for a bachelor’s degree.

Despite being imprisoned without the prospect of release, Lyle expressed to People that he still has the opportunity to be a productive individual and take pride in his daily activities. He found education, specifically pursuing a master’s degree in urban planning, to be an evident solution to this desire.

They were part of a Netflix documentary

Apart from “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” Netflix premiered the documentary film titled “The Menendez Brothers” in 2024. This production includes exclusive audio interviews with both Lyle and Erik, recorded from prison, providing additional insights into their lives and the reasons behind their parents’ murder. Besides them, interviewees include Pamela Bozanich, who served as the lead prosecutor during the initial trial that ended in a hung jury; Robert Rand and Alan Abrahamson, journalists; Andrew Wolfberg, a juror from the second trial; defense experts, professionals, family members, and others.

The documentary titled “The Menendez Brothers” garnered a variety of opinions among critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, their reviews were divided. Those who gave negative feedback claimed that the documentary showed a distinct bias and omitted significant portions of the story to align with it. In contrast, positive reviews commended the film for allowing viewers to form their own judgments by providing a balanced presentation of facts through interviews. Although it may not rank among the top documentaries on Netflix, viewers appreciated it enough to give it a favorable rating on Popcornmeter.

On October 7, 2024, the Menendez Brothers made their premiere on the streaming platform. Two days following this, the Netflix podcast “You Can’t Make This Up” announced that they would be releasing a series of three episodes in conjunction with the documentary. Known as “The Menendez Brothers: The Official Companion Podcast,” these episodes feature extended and omitted interviews with the brothers while in prison, along with other individuals who contributed to the production.

The Los Angeles District Attorney recommended a resentencing

Following the airing of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” there was increased curiosity about their case and speculation surrounding their 2023 filing. During a press conference on October 3, 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced that the matter was currently being re-evaluated. At this stage, he stated during the conference (as reported by Fox News), “We’re not yet prepared to express whether we believe or disbelieve the information presented. However, it is our responsibility, both morally and ethically, to examine what has been brought to us and reach a decision.

Approximately four weeks after October 24, Gascon proposed a new sentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez, based on the evidence provided in their 2023 habeas corpus petition. Originally sentenced to life in prison without parole instead of the death penalty, the brothers were given this sentence due to their youth, as they were under 26 when they committed the murder of their parents. If their case reaches the parole board, they would make the final decision on whether the Menendez brothers have served enough time and should be released. This proposal does not alter the charges against them; it merely modifies what their potential sentence could be. Gascon made this suggestion because of the brothers’ conduct and rehabilitation efforts in prison, but he believes the charges remain valid due to the premeditated nature of the crime.

Following Gascon’s advice, Judge Michael Jesic of the Los Angeles County Superior Court set a new sentencing hearing for the Menendez brothers. This decision was made on October 30, 2024, just days after the District Attorney presented his recommendation to the court. The brothers, Erik and Lyle, will face their hearing on December 11, 2024, where it may be decided if they could soon be granted parole.

2024-12-02 00:30