The second season of Netflix’s Monsters (also known as Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story) delves into the notorious case of the titular brothers. The show explores the 1989 murders of their parents and the brothers’ claims of acting out of fear after years of alleged abuse. While the two have confessed to the crime, many people wants to know what happened to Menendez brothers.
Here are all the details of what happened to brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez.
Were Menendez brothers abused by their parents in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story explores the intense legal battle surrounding the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. The series portrays their defense, which hinged on their claims of long-term abuse by their parents. Despite these claims, Lyle and Erik were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
According to CBS News and real-life testimonies, the Menendez brothers asserted that their actions were driven by a history of severe abuse. Lyle described being sexually abused by his parents, starting at the age of six. Meanwhile, Erik claimed that the abuse continued until shortly before the murders. They testified that rising tensions and fear of their parents’ retribution led them to commit the crime.
Moreover, even family and friends testified to witnessing instances of physical and emotional abuse. Alan Andersen, a cousin of the brothers, reported unusual behavior, such as their father showering with them, though he did not see the abuse directly. This testimony supported the brothers’ claims of a troubled household.
However, prosecutors argued that the murders were financially motivated and planned. They pointed out that the brothers had bought shotguns days before the killings. This perspective led to an initial mistrial when the jury could not reach a verdict. In the subsequent retrial in 1995, the prosecution dismissed the abuse claims as a defensive tactic.
However, recent developments might alter the case’s outcome. Cliff Gardner, one of the brothers’ appellate lawyers, has petitioned to overturn their convictions based on new evidence. This includes a letter Erik Menendez sent to his cousin Andy Cano in late 1988. It also includes an affidavit from Menudo member Roy Rossello. He accused Jose Menendez of abuse during his time with the band in the early 1980s.
