The Menendez brothers may have a chance to have their case reviewed: new evidence
4 october 2024 в 22:37
Lyle and Erik Menendez continue to serve a life sentence in prison for the brutal murder of their parents on August 20, 1989, when the brothers, then 21 and 18 years old, shot them in the family mansion in Beverly Hills.
However, after 35 years, the Menendez brothers may have a chance to have their case reviewed, as prosecutors in Los Angeles are examining new evidence. While Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón emphasized that the brothers are «clearly the murderers» of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, prosecutors are evaluating whether the new evidence could lead the jury to a «different conclusion», - according to the prosecutor’s statement.
After the death of their parents in 1989, the brothers took control of their father’s estate, valued at approximately $ 14.5 million.
Within six months, Lyle and Erik reportedly spent nearly $ 1 million on parties, travel, and shopping. However, after seven months of arrest, most of the money from José's inheritance was spent on taxes and legal expenses. By 1994, it was reported that $ 10.8 million of the inheritance had been spent — just two years before the brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment. About half of this amount went to the brothers' legal expenses, including attorney Leslie Abramson’s fees, who claimed that José and Kitty subjected their sons to years of emotional and sexual abuse.
After being found guilty of their parents' murder, the brothers were deprived of access to the inheritance. According to California’s «Slayer Statute», - when someone is killed by a criminal, the criminal cannot benefit from the victim’s estate, regardless of family relationships.
Without a financial cushion from the inheritance and serving a life sentence in prison, Lyle and Erik did not live a life even close to the luxury they had before their arrest. Their current net worth is unknown, but without significant assets and increasing legal obligations — especially if the case is reviewed — it may approach zero.
Even being the subject of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s anthology titled «Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story», - the brothers are unlikely to see any proceeds from such projects.
The increasingly popular 10-episode season, airing on Netflix, aims to explore whether the brothers were cold-blooded killers seeking to inherit their family’s fortune, as the prosecution claimed, or victims of years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by their parents, as the defense claimed and as Lyle and Erik still maintain.
From Murphy’s perspective, the series seems to have succeeded in this exploration. On October 3, he told The Hollywood Reporter in a phone call, «We gave them their moment in the court of public opinion. Overall, we gave them a platform. I think they could be out by Christmas. I really believe that».
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1−800−656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, impartial support, as well as local resources for healing, recovery, and more.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1−800−662-HELP (4357)
However, after 35 years, the Menendez brothers may have a chance to have their case reviewed, as prosecutors in Los Angeles are examining new evidence. While Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón emphasized that the brothers are «clearly the murderers» of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, prosecutors are evaluating whether the new evidence could lead the jury to a «different conclusion», - according to the prosecutor’s statement.
After the death of their parents in 1989, the brothers took control of their father’s estate, valued at approximately $ 14.5 million.
Within six months, Lyle and Erik reportedly spent nearly $ 1 million on parties, travel, and shopping. However, after seven months of arrest, most of the money from José's inheritance was spent on taxes and legal expenses. By 1994, it was reported that $ 10.8 million of the inheritance had been spent — just two years before the brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment. About half of this amount went to the brothers' legal expenses, including attorney Leslie Abramson’s fees, who claimed that José and Kitty subjected their sons to years of emotional and sexual abuse.
After being found guilty of their parents' murder, the brothers were deprived of access to the inheritance. According to California’s «Slayer Statute», - when someone is killed by a criminal, the criminal cannot benefit from the victim’s estate, regardless of family relationships.
Without a financial cushion from the inheritance and serving a life sentence in prison, Lyle and Erik did not live a life even close to the luxury they had before their arrest. Their current net worth is unknown, but without significant assets and increasing legal obligations — especially if the case is reviewed — it may approach zero.
Even being the subject of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s anthology titled «Monsters: The Menendez Brothers Story», - the brothers are unlikely to see any proceeds from such projects.
The increasingly popular 10-episode season, airing on Netflix, aims to explore whether the brothers were cold-blooded killers seeking to inherit their family’s fortune, as the prosecution claimed, or victims of years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by their parents, as the defense claimed and as Lyle and Erik still maintain.
From Murphy’s perspective, the series seems to have succeeded in this exploration. On October 3, he told The Hollywood Reporter in a phone call, «We gave them their moment in the court of public opinion. Overall, we gave them a platform. I think they could be out by Christmas. I really believe that».
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1−800−656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, impartial support, as well as local resources for healing, recovery, and more.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1−800−662-HELP (4357)
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
