Sentenced to life imprisonment and behind bars for 34 years, Lyle and Erik Menendez must attend this technical hearing by videoconference, their lawyer explained to local media.
But that does not prevent the frenzy around the case, which has returned to the spotlight thanks to a vast online mobilization, including celebrities like Kim Kardashian, to have them released.
Release them before the holiday seasonimplored Tammi Menendez, Erik’s wife, on social networks last Tuesday.
The assassination in 1989 of José and Mary Louise Menendez in their posh home in Beverly Hills hit the headlines in the United States. The trial of their sons Lyle and Erik was broadcast daily on television.
A novelty at the time, even before that of American footballer OJ Simpson established itself as the trial of the centurywith its cameras in the courtroom.
Prosecutors had accused the two young men, aged 18 and 21 at the time of the events, of having murdered their parents to inherit their fortune of 14 million dollars.
The two brothers presented the murder as a desperate attempt at self-defense, claiming to have been raped for years by their father.
The fiction series Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez as well as a documentary produced by Netflix, have recently revived interest in this case, in a world where the #MeToo movement has changed the perception of victims of sexual violence.
– See in person –
Erik Menendez, 53, and Lyle Menendez, 56, were recently touted as model inmates by the Los Angeles district attorney.
The excitement is such that places to attend Monday’s hearing will be snapped up during a draw set up by the court, to allocate the 16 seats reserved for the public in the room.
The hearing should serve as a staging point for the defense of the two brothers, seeking to have them released via three separate procedures.
Their lawyer Mark Geragos first asks the courts for pure and simple release, in light of new elements which would render their conviction for murder void: a letter from the time when Erik mentions the sexual assaults of his father to a cousin before the murder, as well as the testimony of a former Latino boy band singer, who explains having been drugged and raped by José Menendez in the 1980s.
The lawyer is also trying to have their convictions reviewed by a judge, to make them eligible for parole.
Mr. Geragos finally submitted a request for pardon for the two brothers to the governor of California, Democrat Gavin Newsom.
While waiting for the hearing, the Beverly Hills house where the murder took place is now attracting tourists like Christian Hannah.
This Australian, fascinated by the Netflix series, wanted to include the place in his tourist trip to Los Angeles.
It’s really great to see her in personhe confided to AFP. Seeing that on TV and seeing it in real life is really cool.
How has the #MeToo movement impacted public perception of the Menendez brothers’ claims of childhood abuse, and what legal implications might this have on their case?
## World Today News Presents: The Menendez Brothers, Justice, and the Power of Re-examination
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into a captivating and controversial case that continues to grip public attention: the Menendez Brothers. Joining us are two esteemed guests:
* **Dr. Emily Carter:** A renowned forensic psychologist specializing in cases involving trauma and family dynamics.
* **Mr. James Taylor:** A criminal lawyer with extensive experience in appeals and post-conviction relief.
**Part 1: A Generation Divided – Public Opinion and the #MeToo Era:**
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Carter, the Menendez brothers’ case has sparked intense debate, particularly with the resurgence of interest fueled by
docuseries and the #MeToo movement. How have societal changes around discussions of sexual abuse potentially influenced the perception of this case?
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Taylor, how does the changing social landscape impact legal arguments in cases like the Menendez brothers’, particularly when it comes to the admissibility of previously disregarded evidence?
**Part 2: Legal Strategies and the Pursuit of Freedom:**
* **Interviewer:** Mr. Taylor, the Menendez brothers’ legal team is pursuing multiple avenues for their release. Could you walk us through each strategy—pure and simple release, review of conviction, and pardon—and discuss their respective strengths and challenges?
* **Interviewer:** Dr. Carter, what are the psychological implications for someone who has been incarcerated for decades, especially for a crime as complex and emotionally charged as this? How might the prospect of release, after such a lengthy period, impact their mental and emotional well-being?
**Part 3: The House on Elm Drive – Symbol and Spectacle:**
* **Interviewer:** People are now drawn to the former Menendez residence, turning it into a tourist attraction. What does this fascination reveal about our cultural obsession with true crime and the intersection of media, justice, and public imagination?
**Closing:**
* **Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your insights on this thought-provoking case. The Menendez brothers’ story raises profound questions about justice, memory, trauma, and the enduring hold of the past on the present. As we await the upcoming hearing, it’s clear that the pursuit of truth and understanding in this case remains as complex and compelling as ever.
