What would push two children of a privileged family to kill their parents that gave them the very good life? The devil? Greed? The desire simply to be completely free? Or hatred? What exactly happened?
The Menendez Brothers’ 1993 trial was one of the most heavily watched cases on TV at the time, Hollywood Life magazine recalls in this picture story of the two parents-loathing brothers. See pics of the convicted duo.
Erik Menendez and brother Lyle Menendez had bright futures ahead of them before they shot and killed their parents, Jose and Kitty, inside their Beverly Hills mansion on August 20, 1989. Initially the two were not suspected, as they convincingly played grieving sons.
The brothers went on to spend money wildly after their parents murders, blowing through nearly a million dollars on everything from cars and jewelry, to purchasing restaurants. Eventually, police found out that Erik had confessed his crime to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel. The brothers were subsequently arrested in 1990.
They were tried separately, but both of them claimed that they killed their parents after years of sexual and emotional abuse. The first trial ended up with the jury deadlocked. A second jury ended up convicting both Lyle and Erik after the judge limited testimony about their abuse claims and took the manslaughter option off the table. The brothers were convicted of first-degree murder, and of conspiracy to commit murder. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In 2024, former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón revisited the Menendez brothers’ case following the renewed attention brought by the Ryan Murphy series and their documentary. Per the Los Angeles District Attorney Office, the 70-year-old stated, “I strongly support clemency for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving sentences of life without possibility of parole. They have respectively served 34 years and have continued their educations and worked to create new programs to support the rehabilitation of fellow inmates.”
Gascón further emphasized that the brothers should be resentenced and granted the possibility of parole immediately. However, he was ousted from office in a reelection, leading to Nathan Hochman’s victory. Hochman has since stated that he would need to reexamine the case before making any decisions.
Erik Menendez before killing his parents
Erik Menendez seen prior to the murders of his parents. He had a bright future, accepted to UCLA, and his brother Lyle wasa Princeton student when they shot and killed their parents Jose and Kitty inside their Beverly Hills mansion on August 20, 1989.
Erik Menendez as a teen
Erik Menendez poses in a tuxedo
Erik Menendez testifies in his murder case
Erik Menendez takes the stand in his own defense, accused of the murders of his parents Jose and Kitty.
Lyle Menendez watches testimony during his trial
Lyle Menendez watches testimony during his trial for killing his parents Jose and Kitty inside their Beverly Hills mansion.
Lyle Menendez in a prison mugshot
Lyle Menendez as seen in a prison mugshot. He shed off his once dark, thick hair.
Erik Menendez at his murder trial
Erik Menendez looks concerned during his murder trial for killing his parents Jose and Kitty.
Erik & Lyle Menendez make a court appearance
Erik & Lyle Menendez make a court appearance after being arrested for the August 20, 1989 murders of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home.
Lyle & Eric Menendez in court
Lyle & Eric Menendez as seen in a court hearing in 1990. They were later convicted of first degree murder for shooting their parents to death.
Anxious moment for Lyle & Erik Menendez while in court
Lyle & Erik Menendez have a moment of concern while facing the judge in their murder case, standing accused of killing their parents Jose and Kitty.
Erik Menendez’ most current mug shot
Erik Menendez is seen in this Oct. 31, 2016 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Sorry ladies, he’s a married man despite serving a life sentence for double murder.
Lyle Menendez smiles in this Feb.. 2018 prison photo
Lyle Menendez is all smiles in this Feb. 22, 2018 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He sure has changed from when he was a clean-cut Princeton student accused of murdering his parents.
Erik and Lyle Menendez walking into courtroom handcuffed
Erik and Lyle Menendez are seen walking in what appears to be a courtroom, handcuffed.
– Hollywood Life
