Beverly Hills is most recognizable for the iconic “90210” zip code but has been replaced by the thought of crime in recent memory.
Lyle and Erik Menendez, two wealthy brothers from Beverly Hills, were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after the brutal 1989 murders of their parents José and Kitty back in 1996.
It was believed by the public to have been a crime of passion for money, but in reality, has been testified by the two to be out of self-defense following sexual abuse by their parents which lasted for nearly their entire life, up to the murders. Erik and Lyle felt their parents were about to take both of the brothers’ lives.
The public has been quiet when reflecting on the case as the brothers have been in jail for 34 years, but have recently sparked interest followed by the Netflix show “Monsters” bringing the case back into the spotlight.
“Monsters,” a new Netflix series starring actors Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch, dramatized the brother’s story beyond just the brothers’ testimonies. The show has even sparked controversy towards director Ryan Murphy after portraying many uncertainties and inaccuracies in the brothers’ personalities.
While Erik and Lyle Menendez have both spoken out from jail stating that the show is a “blatant lie,” specifically referring to the way the brothers’ personalities are portrayed, the show launched a cultural shift on how the case is discussed and how a new generation pushes for the brothers to be released.
When asked about the show and the case as a whole, Junior Evelyn Houser stated “I am obsessed with the show. I hope the Menendez brothers will be released as what they were going through from their father was just as terrible as the crime they committed.”
Paige Piermattei, a Lower Dauphin junior, added to the conversation by saying “The trauma and heartbreak the brothers went through, especially Erik, at the hands of their father is disgusting. Also, a 40-minute episode taken in one shot with no cuts is insane to me, especially since Cooper was acting out such a sensitive topic. I wish nothing but the best for Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch. That has to be such a scary event to act out.”
The new retrial comes nearly 35 years after the brothers were convicted. Not only did the Netflix show help to push for the new date, but so did new evidence that was not available during the original trials. The new evidence includes a letter written by Erik back in 1988. The letter was written to the boys’ cousin, which referenced the abuse by his father.
George Gascón, the Los Angeles District Attorney, received an “influx” of calls following the release of the Netflix series.
The show has seemed to trigger the Los Angeles District Attorney to review the case and hold their new court hearing on November 26th, possibly resulting in a retrial and resentence.
