The Menendez brothers made headlines with the 2024 launch of the Netflix collection Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The two have been convicted of murdering their dad and mom, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in 1989 when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 at their Beverly Hills dwelling. Shortly after committing the crime, the brothers spent about $700,000, in keeping with Time Magazine, earlier than their arrest in 1990.
During their courtroom trials, they claimed to have been abused by their dad and mom all through their childhood, accusing their late father of sexual abuse. The brothers are at the moment incarcerated on the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in California.
Find out when Lyle and Erik might get out of jail.
What Were the Menendez Brothers Sentenced to?
Lyle and Erik have been sentenced to life in jail with out the opportunity of parole in 1996. Although they have been initially separated for many of their imprisonment, which led to restricted communication, they have been reunited in April 2018 on the identical facility in California.
In May 2023, the brothers’ attorneys filed a petition to overturn their convictions. According to courtroom paperwork obtained by The Los Angeles Times, the submitting acknowledged, “The new evidence not only shows that Jose Menendez was very much a violent and brutal man who would sexually abuse children, but it strongly suggests that — in fact — he was still abusing Erik Menendez as late as 1988.”
The doc continued to state, “Instead, the crime was manslaughter, not murder. The killings occurred in imperfect self-defense, after a lifetime of physical and sexual abuse from their parents.” Despite the petition, the brothers stay imprisoned.
On October 24, 2024, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón introduced in a press convention that he really helpful resentencing for the Menendez brothers and that they be eligible for speedy parole if the choose approves. He acknowledged, “There was no excuse for murder … because even if you get abused, the right path is to call police, seek help.” Both Lyle and Erik have been in jail for greater than three a long time. He added, “I believe they have paid their debt to society.”
Are the Menendez Brothers Getting Out of Prison?
Lyle and Erik have been scheduled to attend a courtroom listening to on December 11, 2024. However, a choose pushed the date again throughout a November courtroom listening to partially to present the brand new L.A. County district lawyer extra time to overview the case, in keeping with NBC News.
It’s unclear if the brothers will ever be launched from jail. They are set to have a resentencing listening to in March 2025. While behind bars, the 2 have confronted many tough moments. Erik recalled a few of these experiences throughout TMZ’s podcast “2 Angry Men“ in February 2025. “I was picked on, bullied violently, and it was traumatic and it was continual. Those are things that a lot of inmates in prison go through when they’re not part of a gang structure and they come in and they’re basically lone wolves, they just have to be by themselves,” he stated.
How Were the Menendez Brothers Caught?
Erik ended up confessing to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, throughout a remedy session. Oziel’s mistress, Judalon Smyth, then reported this info to the police.
Lyle and Erik Menendez Life Update
Although each Lyle and Erik stay behind bars, this hasn’t stopped them from pursuing relationships. Lyle has been married twice whereas in jail. He first married Anna Eriksson in 1996, however they divorced in 2001. Two years later, in 2003, he married Rebecca Sneed. However, the 2 separated by late 2024, Rebecca publicly confirmed.
As for Erik, he met his spouse, Tammi Saccoman, via letters whereas he was in jail. Their relationship blossomed, they usually have been married since 1999.
If you or anybody has been sexually abused, name the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A educated workers member will present confidential, judgment-free help in addition to native assets to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
If you or somebody is fighting substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).