Joseph Lyle Menéndez (born January 10, 1968)[2] and Erik Galen Menéndez (born November 27, 1970)[3] are American brothers who were convicted in 1996 of the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menéndez.
Lyle and Erik Menéndez
Mug shots of Lyle (left) and Erik (right) Menéndez taken in 2023.
Born
Joseph Lyle Menéndez (1968-01-10) January 10, 1968 (age 56) New York City, U.S.Erik Galen Menéndez (1970-11-27) November 27, 1970 (age 53) Blackwood, New Jersey, U.S.
During their trial, the brothers stated that they committed the murders out of fear that their father would kill them after they threatened to expose him for years of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, while the prosecution argued that they did it to inherit their father's multimillion-dollar estate. They were first tried separately with one jury for each brother. However, both juries deadlocked, resulting in a mistrial. For the second trial, they were tried together by a single jury that found them guilty. Both brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
José Enrique Menéndez was born on May 6, 1944, in Havana, Cuba. At age 16, shortly after the end of the Cuban Revolution, he moved to the United States.[4] José attended Southern Illinois University, where he met Mary Louise "Kitty" Andersen (1941–1989). They were married in 1963 and moved to New York City where José earned an accounting degree from Queens College.[5]
The couple's first son, Joseph Lyle, who goes by his middle name, was born on January10, 1968, in New York.[6][7] Kitty quit her teaching job after Lyle was born and the family moved to New Jersey, where Erik Galen was born on November27, 1970, in Gloucester Township.[8][9] The family lived in Hopewell Township and both brothers attended Princeton Day School.[5]
In the summer of 1976, Lyle and Erik's cousin, Diane Vander Molen, came to stay with them. She stated Lyle confessed to her that he was being sexually abused by his father. Vander Molen told Kitty what Lyle had said, but Kitty sided with her husband and said Lyle was lying. Vander Molen recalls that afterward, Kitty put Lyle upstairs and that was the last Vander Molen heard of the claim.[10]
On the evening of August 20, 1989, José and Kitty were standing in the den of their Beverly Hills mansion when Lyle and Erik entered the den, carrying shotguns.[15] José was shot six times, including a fatal shot in the back of the head with a Mossberg12-gauge shotgun.[16] Kitty was shot ten times in total. Before the fatal shot to her cheek, she was on the ground, slowly crawling and crying. Lyle ran to his car to reload before firing the fatal shot to her face.[17][18]
Immediately after the killings, both brothers remained in the house expecting the police to respond due to the noise of the gunshots.[19] When the police arrived, the brothers told them that the killings had occurred while they were at a movie theater watching Batman and attending the "Taste of L.A." festival at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The police did not seek gunshot residue tests from the brothers, which would have indicated whether they had recently discharged a firearm.[20]
In the months after the killings, the brothers began to spend extravagantly on luxury items, businesses, and travel.[20] Lyle bought Chuck's Spring Street Cafe, a Buffalo wing restaurant in Princeton, New Jersey, as well as a Rolex watch and a Porsche Carrera.[21] Erik hired a full-time tennis coach and competed in a series of tournaments in Israel. The brothers eventually left the Beverly Hills mansion unoccupied, choosing to live in adjoining condominiums in nearby Marina del Rey.[22] They also dined expensively and took overseas trips to the Caribbean and London.[23] Collectively, they spent approximately $700,000 before their arrests; family members later disputed a connection between their spending and the murder of their parents, claiming that there were no changes in their spending habits after the killings.[20] At one point, they attended a New York Knicks basketball game which became immortalized when they appeared courtside in the background of a Mark Jackson trading card.[24]
During the early stages of the investigation, police tried to narrow their search to suspects who had motives to kill José and Kitty and also investigated potential mob leads. As the investigation continued, they began to suspect the brothers were the most likely perpetrators due to the obvious financial motive and their exorbitant spending after the killings. In an attempt to get a confession from Erik, police arranged for his friend, Craig Cignarelli, to wear a wire during a lunch with Erik at a local beachfront restaurant. When Cignarelli asked Erik whether he had killed his parents, Erik denied it.[25] Erik eventually confessed to his psychologist, Jerome Oziel, who then told his mistress, Judalon Smyth. Oziel later broke up with Smyth and in a fit of rage she told the police about the brothers' involvement.[26] Lyle was arrested on March8, 1990, and Erik turned himself in three days later after returning to Los Angeles from Israel. Both were held without bail and jailed separately.[27]
In August 1990, Judge James Albrecht ruled that tapes of the conversations between Erik and Oziel were admissible evidence since Oziel stated that Lyle threatened him and violated doctor–patient privilege. Albrecht's ruling was appealed, after which the proceedings were delayed for two years. The Supreme Court of California ruled in August 1992 that most of the tapes were admissible, with the exception of the tape on which Erik discussed the murders.[28] After that decision, a Los Angeles County grand jury issued indictments in December 1992, charging the brothers with the murders of their parents.[29]
The Menéndez case became a national sensation when Court TV broadcast the trial in 1993.[30] Represented by their defense lawyer, Leslie Abramson, the brothers stated that they killed their parents out of fear for their lives after a lifetime of abuse at the hands of their parents, especially sexual abuse at the hands of their father, who was described as a cruel perfectionist and pedophile. Meanwhile, their mother was described as an enabling, selfish, mentally unstable alcoholic and drug addict who encouraged her husband's behavior and was also violent toward the brothers.[31]
The allegations against the couple were supported by the testimony of two family members. The brothers' cousin, Andy Cano, said that as a child Erik told him about the sexual abuse, which they both described as "penis massages".[32] Diane Vander Molen, another cousin of the brothers, stated that she once told Kitty about José's molestation of Lyle, although Kitty told her that it was false.[33] As physical evidence the defense presented a photograph of Lyle and Erik's genitalia allegedly taken by their father when they were children.
The prosecution argued that the killings were done for financial gain. This theory was disputed by the defense team, which claimed that the brothers did not think they were getting an inheritance. Lyle's prosecutor, Pam Bozanich, argued that "men could not be raped, because they lack the necessary equipment to be raped."[34][35]
Erik testified that a couple of weeks before the night of the killings, he told his brother about the sexual abuse he was experiencing, which led to several confrontations within the family. The brothers also testified that their father threatened to kill them if they did not keep the abuse secret. They claimed the last confrontation happened inside their home's den on August20, 1989, a few minutes before Kitty and José were killed. The brothers stated that their father closed the den's door, which was unusual. Paranoid and afraid that they would be killed by their own parents, Lyle and Erik went outside to load their shotguns. Erik stated, "as I went into the room, I just started firing."[36]
The trial ended with two deadlocked juries. As a result, Los Angeles County District AttorneyGil Garcetti immediately announced that the brothers would be retried. The second trial was somewhat less publicized, in part because Judge Stanley Weisberg did not allow cameras in the courtroom.[37] During the second trial, Weisberg, relying upon a legal decision by the Supreme Court in an unrelated case, limited testimony about the sexual abuse claims[38] and did not allow the jury to vote on manslaughter charges instead of murder charges.[39]
Both brothers were eventually convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder; in the penalty phase of the trial, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The jury noted the abuse defense was not a factor in its deliberations but it decided not to impose the death penalty because both brothers had no prior criminal record or history of violence. However, unlike the juries in the previous trials, the jury in the penalty phase rejected the defense's theory that the brothers killed their parents out of fear and believed that they committed the killings in order to inherit their father's wealth.[40]
During the penalty phase, Abramson apparently told defense witness William Vicary to edit his own notes, but the district attorney's office decided not to launch a criminal investigation of Abramson.[41] Both brothers also filed motions for a mistrial, claiming that they suffered irreversible damage in the penalty phase as a result of possible misconduct and ineffective representation by Abramson. On July2, 1996, Weisberg sentenced the brothers to life in prison without the possibility of parole to be served as consecutive sentences for the killings and the charges of conspiracy to commit murder.
On April4, 2018, Lyle was moved into the same housing unit as Erik, reuniting them for the first time since they began serving their sentences nearly 22 years earlier. The brothers burst into tears and hugged each other at their first meeting in the housing unit. The unit where they are housed is reserved for inmates who agree to participate in education and rehabilitation programs without creating disruptions.[43][44][45]
On February27, 1998, the California Court of Appeal upheld the brothers' murder convictions, and on May28, 1998, the Supreme Court of California declined to review the case, thus allowing the decision of the appellate court to stand.[6] Both brothers filed habeas corpus petitions with the Supreme Court of California, which were denied in 1999. Having exhausted their appeal remedies in state court, they filed separate habeas corpus petitions in the United States District Court. On March4, 2003, a magistrate judge recommended the denial of the petitions,[46] and the district court adopted the recommendation. The brothers then decided to appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On September7, 2005, a three-judge panel denied both their habeas corpus petitions,[47] although Judge Alex Kozinski noted that the trial judge changed many of his rulings during the two trials.[48]
In May 2023, the brothers filed documents seeking a new hearing based on newly discovered evidence purporting to show that their father had also molested boy-band member Roy Rosselló.[49] Specifically, on April 18, 2023, on a segment of the Today Show about an upcoming docuseries, Rosselló stated that he had been drugged and raped by José Menéndez when he was visiting the Menéndez's New Jersey home at the age of 14.[50]
On July 2, 1996, Lyle married Anna Eriksson at a ceremony attended by Abramson and his aunt Marta Menéndez, officiated by Judge Nancy Brown; they divorced on April 1, 2001,[6] after Eriksson discovered that Lyle was allegedly cheating on her with another woman. In November 2003, Lyle married Rebecca Sneed at a ceremony in a visiting area of Mule Creek State Prison; they had known each other for around ten years before their engagement.[51][52]
On June 12, 1999, Erik married Tammi Ruth Saccoman at Folsom State Prison in a prison waiting room. Tammi later stated: "Our wedding cake was a Twinkie. We improvised. It was a wonderful ceremony until I had to leave. That was a very lonely night."[53][54] In an October 2005 interview with ABC News, she described her relationship with Erik as "something that I've dreamed about for a long time. And it's just something very special that I never thought that I would ever have."[55]
In 2005, Saccoman self-published a book, They Said We'd Never Make It – My Life with Erik Menéndez, but she said on CNN's Larry King Live that Erik also "did a lot of editing on the book".[56] In an interview with People magazine, she stated:
Not having sex in my life is difficult, but it's not a problem for me. I have to be emotionally attached, and I'm emotionally attached to Erik ... My family does not understand. When it started to get serious, some of them just threw up their hands.[53]
Saccoman also stated that she and her daughter drive 150 mi (240 km) every weekend to visit Erik, and that her daughter refers to him as her "Earth Dad".[53] Discussing his life sentence, Erik stated: "Tammi is what gets me through. I can't think about the sentence. When I do, I do it with a great sadness and a primal fear. I break into a cold sweat. It's so frightening I just haven't come to terms with it."[53]
In 2010, A&E released Mrs. Menéndez, a documentary about Saccoman.[57] In late 2017, A&E aired a five-part documentary titled The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All, in which Erik describes via telephone the murders and the aftermath. The series also shows never-before-seen photos and new interviews with prosecutors, law enforcement, close family and friends, and medical experts.[58]
In 2000,『Menendez Brothers – Blood Brothers,』an episode from the documentary series by Court TV (now TruTV) Mugshots, was aired at FilmRise.[59]
In 2015, Barbara Walters Presents: American Scandals featured the Menéndez brothers in an episode, "Menendez Brothers: The Bad Sons."[60]
In 2016, the Menéndez brothers were featured in the true-crime documentary, Snapped.
In 2017, the Menéndez brothers were featured in a documentary, Truth and Lies: The Menéndez Brothers – American Sons, American MurderersonABC.
In 2017, HLN launched the new series How it Really Happened – with Hill Harper, with an episode featuring the Menéndez brothers story. The episode, "The Menéndez Brothers: Murder in Beverly Hills,” ends with a telephone interview of Lyle from jail with Chris Cuomo.[61]
In 2020, BuzzFeed Unsolved features the Menéndez brothers in a one-episode special, "How They Were Caught: The Menendez Brothers."[62]
In 2021, the Menéndez brothers were the subject of ABC's 20/20 special, Inside the Menendez Movement. The special features the popularity of the brothers on the video-sharing social media application TikTok and their growing number of supporters from young adults outside and inside of the United States.[63]
In August 2022, Discovery+ released Menéndez Brothers: Misjudged?, a two-hour documentary focusing on the Menéndez brothers' case and trial.[64]
In May 2023, Peacock released a documentary series titled Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, which features Puerto Rican singer and former Menudo member Roy Rosselló alleging that he was sexually assaulted as a teenager by José Menéndez.[65][66]
On May 1, 2023, Netflix announced that they were given "exclusive access" to the Menéndez brothers and would release a forthcoming documentary feature.[67][68]
In 1994, the film Dumb & Dumber a TV is playing an "A Current Affair" episode that states: "Inside the home of the Menéndez brother's attorney."
In 1994, the television film Honor thy Father and Mother: The True Story of the Menendez Murders features Lyle and Erik Menéndez portrayed by Billy Warlock and David Berón, respectively.
In 1994, the Menéndez brothers were loosely depicted in the crime film Natural Born Killers.
In 1994, the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air makes various comedic passing references to the Menéndez case. One such example is in season 4, episode 14, 19:20 into the episode.
In 1999, in The Sopranos Season 1 episode Boca, Junior Soprano makes a reference to the brothers' case, citing how their psychiatrist had appeared as a witness in the trial.
In 2008, "Gavin Volure", a season 3 episode of the TV series 30 Rock, features Tracy Jordan making multiple references to the Menéndez brothers as he fears that his own children will similarly attempt to kill him for his wealth, an act he termed as "Menendez-ing".
In 2016, the Menéndez brothers were mentioned several times in the FX drama The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016). Based on the true story of O. J. Simpson's highly televised trial, the series was set at the same time as the Menéndez brothers' trials. There are several characters who have worked in the brothers' and O. J. Simpson's respective cases, such as Robert Shapiro, Lance Ito, and Gil Garcetti. Shapiro (portrayed by John Travolta) mentioned Erik in Episode 2 stating, "In fact, I arranged the surrender of Erik Menendez from Israel." This statement is based on the actual speech by Shapiro during Simpson's infamous Bronco chase, in an attempt to have him surrender to the police.[70]
In 2017, NBC aired Law & Order: True Crime – The Menéndez Murders. An 8-episode special from the Law & Order franchise, the series depicted the detailed killings, investigation, arrests, and trials of the Menéndez brothers. Compared to its predecessors, the series portrayed the brothers more sympathetically, focusing on the defense led by lawyer Leslie Abramson, and the physical and sexual abuse allegations. Lyle was portrayed by Miles Gaston Villanueva, who received a Best Actor nomination at the 33rd Imagen Awards, while Erik was portrayed by actor and singer Gus Halper. Its premiere at the Paley Center for Media was attended by Lyle's family and friends, who praised the series' depiction of the brothers.[71] In an interview with Megyn Kelly Today after the first episode premiere, Lyle revealed that the series was "painful to watch", but said the depiction of him by Villanueva is "surprisingly accurate" despite the producers and the actor not being able to communicate with him.[72] The 2018 Primetime Emmy Award's nominated Edie Falco for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series for her portrayal of Abramson.[73]
InNetflix's That '90s Show, Red made a reference to the Menéndez brothers while talking to his wife Kitty; coincidentally "Kitty" was also the nickname of their mother.
In 1993, Saturday Night Live aired a comedy sketch featuring guest host John Malkovich where the Menéndez brothers blame the murder of their parents on their identical twin brothers.[77] In 2015, the Menéndez brothers are referenced again in the sketch song "First Got Horny 2 U" from a Season 41 episode hosted by Elizabeth Banks.[78]
The 1994 episode of "Married... with Children", called "The D'Arcy Files", features the line『It's too late to hire the Menéndez brothers』from Al.
In 1996, the media hype surrounding the first trial was parodied in the dark comedy film The Cable Guy.
In 1997, Gary Indiana published his novel Resentment: A Comedy, which is drawn in part from the Menéndez murders and trial.[79]
In 2006, TV Show 30 Rock S03E04, titled "Gavin Volure", featured a running gag in which lead character Tracy Jordan believes his sons are plotting to murder him to inherit his fortune. When Tracy enters his family home at night, he timidly says, "Hey guys. Daddy's home. Don't Menéndez me."
In 2009, the TV Show The Venture Bros. featured two former boy detectives named Lance and Dale Hale who are strongly implied to have killed their father with a shotgun.
In 2010, the TV Show 30 Rock S06E16 featured a brief joke in which a character has a tattoo with the text "Free Lyle Menendez".
In 2016, the Menéndez brothers were subjects of the weekly comedic "true-crime" podcast The Last Podcast on the Left.
The Menéndez brothers are seen in the background of the 1990–1991 NBA Hoops' Mark Jackson basketball card in which the New York Knicks point guard is seen making a bounce pass. They are sitting courtside behind Jackson.[80] In December 2018, eBay began terminating auctions in which the brothers are mentioned in the listing. The New York Knicks played 28 games during the period in which the Menéndez brothers went on a spending spree after the murders. Some eBay sellers have continued to sell the card and have also altered the images accompanying the listing so that the Menéndez brothers are neither mentioned nor seen in photos of the card accompanying the listing.[81]
Murder of Linda Andersen, 2003 killing of mother in Toronto area by two sisters who claimed neglect due to her alcoholism, and also lived lavishly off the inheritance for a year until a boyfriend told the police
Robert and Michael Bever, American brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents and 3 siblings.
^ abcDunne, Dominick (October 1990). "Nightmare on Elm Drive". Vanity Fair. Beverly Hills police claimed to have been suspicious of the Menéndez brothers from the beginning.... But there was no proof – nothing to go on – merely gut reactions.
Davis, Don (1994) Bad Blood: The Shocking True Story Behind the Menéndez Killings St. Martin, New York, ISBN0-312-95334-8
Menéndez, Lyle; Novelli, Norma; Walker, Mike; and Spreckels, Judith (1995) The Private Diary of Lyle Menéndez: In His Own Words! Dove Books, Beverly Hills, California, ISBN0-7871-0474-4
Menéndez, Tammi (2005) They Said We'd Never Make It: My Life With Erik Menéndez NewGalen Publishing, Santa Clarita, California, ISBN0-9768744-0-7
Soble, Ronald L. and Johnson, John (1994) Blood Brothers: The Inside Story of the Menéndez Murders Onyx, New York, ISBN0-451-40547-1
Thornton, Hazel; Wrightsman, Lawrence S.; Posey, Amy J. and Scheflin, Alan W. (1995) Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menéndez Juror Temple University Press, Philadelphia; new "20 Years Later" edition updated with new material, Graymalkin Media (2017) ISBN978-1631681622
Rand, Robert (2018) The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings that Stunned the Nation BenBella Books ISBN978-1946885265
