Can the New Evidence Help Lyle and Erik Menendez Get Released From Prison Years After They Killed Their Parents?

They say ‘truth is stranger than fiction’, and when it comes to the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, does that adage hit the nail on the head? These two brothers, armed with 12-gauge shotguns, stormed into their Beverly Hills abode on August 20, 1989, and did the unthinkable—they fatally shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, while the couple was engrossed in their TV time.

Now, decades later, this real-life drama has been resurrected for Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s Netflix show, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, starring none other than Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny. 

The brothers’ case, which captured national headlines, is once again front and center. But here’s the million-dollar question: Is the renewed focus on the Menendez brothers just another Hollywood cash cow, or could it actually serve a greater purpose? At the heart of the matter, one of their tireless defense lawyers, Cliff Gardner, is banking on the latter, hoping to revisit and possibly appeal the brothers’ convictions. 

New Evidence: Can It Free Lyle & Erik Menendez from Prison?

In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez were accused of killing their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. The brothers claimed self-defense, citing years of emotional, physical, and s*xual abuse. 

The story of the Menendez brothers is marked by two trials filled with drama and complexity. The first trial ended in a hung jury, leaving many feeling frustrated and confused. The second trial concluded with a guilty verdict, sentencing Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Complicating matters, former Judge Stanley Weisberg ruled that evidence of the alleged abuse could not be introduced in the defense’s arguments (see NY Times). This decision raised serious questions about whether justice was truly served.

Jose and Kitty Menendez, parents of the Menendez brothers | Credit: ABC

Fast forward to today, and defense attorney Cliff Gardner is back in action, arguing that new evidence could reshape the fate of the Menendez brothers. Recently, a letter written by Erik Menendez to his cousin surfaced, dated December 1988—just months before the tragic events. In this letter, the former expressed his fears regarding his father’s abusive behavior (CBS News): 

I’ve been trying to avoid dad. It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now…Every night, I stay up thinking he might come in…I’m afraid…He’s crazy. He’s warned me a hundred times about telling anyone, especially Lyle.

With this new evidence in play, Gardner is hopeful about the potential for appeal. He informed 48 Hours that the case was mishandled from the outset, stating:

The boys were abused as children. They were abused their whole life…and this is a manslaughter case, not a murder case. It’s just that simple.

Whether the new evidence will ultimately sway the courts remains skeptical, but the quest for justice continues, and with it, the hope for a fair resolution. 

Lyle and Erik Menendez: What Have They Been Up To?

A still from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story trailer || Credits: Netflix

After receiving their life sentences, Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez were initially sent to separate prisons, effectively splitting them apart like two wayward socks. However, in 2018, they were transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego (via Forbes). 

Fast forward to 2023, and the Menendez Brothers have taken another step in their ongoing quest for justice. They filed an appeal for a new hearing, citing new evidence that could potentially impact their case. This evidence includes testimony from Roy Roselló, who alleged that he was also a victim of abuse by Jose Menendez as a teenager.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office confirmed to CNN that they are currently reviewing the habeas petition related to the Menendez matter.

Despite their efforts, Lyle and Erik Menendez remain in prison, serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. Now aged 53 and 56, respectively, they continue to maintain their allegations of abuse at the hands of their parents. As noted in the conclusion of the Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, they are still fighting to have their story fully acknowledged within the legal system.

Will the new evidence be enough to secure a fresh hearing and possibly alter their destinies? The outcome is still up in the air, but the quest for truth and justice is far from over for Lyle and Erik Menendez. They’re not throwing in the towel just yet!

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is streaming on Netflix.