Menendez brothers: New evidence may trigger retrial debate
In its first week on air, "The Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez" attracted over 12 million viewers, and that number continued to grow. As interest in the 1989 murder heightened, new evidence began to surface.
On 20 August 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez, in tears, called the police to report that someone had killed their parents. José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez were found dead, having been shot multiple times with a firearm loaded with high-calibre ammunition. The brothers initially claimed it was the work of the mafia, citing their father's influential and wealthy status. In the days following their parents' deaths, they spent over £570,000. With that money, they purchased, among other things, a restaurant in Princeton, a Porsche sports car, and a Rolex watch. They also travelled to London and went on a Caribbean cruise. The truth about their involvement in the crime emerged when Erik Menendez confessed to his psychotherapist.
New evidence in the Menendez case?
The series starring Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez became a Netflix hit. Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny portrayed the parents, with Ryan Murphy, known for dramatizing real-life crime stories, behind the camera.
"The Monsters" about the Menendezes has stirred controversy. One criticism of the series is that the director acts as both judge and investigator, suggesting motives for the brothers, thus explaining their actions. A significant aspect of both the original trial and the series is the claim of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by their father. According to Ryan Murphy, new evidence has emerged since the series' release, which, crucially, could lead to a retrial, as previously reported.
Reports of a potential retrial are circulating in the American media. Outlets including Fox News and Forbes have reported that the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, led by George Gascón, will re-examine the murder of the Menendez parents. Gascón stated that the prosecutor's office would soon consider whether the brothers should continue to serve life sentences. He emphasised that he has "a moral and ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us, and the case of the Menendez brothers is no different."
New information could illuminate the motives behind the crime and affect the appeals of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are serving life sentences. Central to this new spotlight is a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin, Andy Cano, eight months before the murders. In the letter, Erik claimed his father abused him. Fox News published the letter, in which Erik describes his situation as "worse than ever" and expresses fear of his father. Andy Cano, who passed away in 2003, testified that Erik had disclosed the abuse at the age of 13.
Gascón also mentioned a second piece of evidence: a statement by Roy Rosselló, a former member of the popular 1980s band Menudo. Rosselló alleges that José Menendez, then a powerful director at RCA Records, abused him at a young age.
The brothers, who admitted to the crime, have consistently claimed they were victims of prolonged sexual abuse by their father and acted out of fear for their lives. The prosecution rejected these allegations, alleging that greed was the primary motive, as the brothers aimed to acquire their parents' multimillion-dollar fortune. Their extravagant spending following the crime was cited as evidence of their supposed greed.
The prosecutor suggested that, 35 years later, contemporary society might view allegations of sexual abuse differently. "Sensitivity to sexual assault is much more significant today," Gascón told CNN. "It is possible that today's jury would perceive this case completely differently," he added.
It's worth noting that Erik and Lyle were separated for 20 years and served their sentences in different facilities. In 2018, Lyle was transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, where he finally reunited with his brother after a few months.
