Relatives of Eric and Lyle Menendez — known as the Menendez brothers — are standing up for the two men convicted of shooting both their parents. until his death Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, The mansion in 1989.
Joseph Menendez, known by his middle name Lyle, and his brother, Eric, shot their parents, Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez. They were both convicted of the murders and ordered to spend life in prison in 1996, but they have recently been seeking reduced sentences.
“We are truly the entire extended family of Eric and Lyle Menendez. We are 24 strong and today we want the world to know that we support Eric and Lyle,” his family wrote in a statement. Wife Tammy Menendez posted on X. Thursday in response to a new series about his life and crimes. “After 35 years in prison we pray individually and collectively for their release. We know them, love them and want them to come home with us.”
Their group’s statement comes in response to a new Netflix show called “Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story,” which premiered on Netflix last week.
Menendez brother who shot parents criticizes new show for ‘dishonest portrayal’
Eric and Lyle Menendez listen during their trial in the 1990s. (Ted Socqui/Sigma)
Advertised as “Monster” A “true-crime drama” “Explores the lives of the Menendez brothers, convicted of the brutal 1989 murders of their parents in Beverly Hills.”
But family members of the Menendez brothers described it as “a sneaky, disgusting, anachronistic, serial episodic nightmare that is not only filled with misconceptions and outright lies, but ignores the most recent exculpatory revelations,” he said in his statement posted to X.
“We know these guys. We’ve grown up with them since they were boys.”
The statement read, “Our family has been the victim of this vile shockdrama. Murphy claims he spent years researching this case but ultimately relied on pro-prosecution hack Dominic Dunne to justify his slander against us. Trust and never talked to us.” Reads. “The character assassination of Eric and Lyle, who are our nephews and cousins, under the guise of ‘telling a story’ is disgusting. We know these people. We have grown up with them since they were boys. We know them And love like this the day we are closer to them.”
Lil, left, and Eric, right, are featured in recent mugshots from 2023. After years apart, they were moved to the same housing unit at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego in 2018, according to the New York Daily News. (California Department of Corrections)
Eric Menendez published his statement via Tammy on
“It is sad for me to note that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of our crime-related tragedies takes painful truths several steps backward – back to the era when prosecutors built a narrative on a belief system that sexually exploits men. Wasn’t done, and men experience rape trauma differently than women,” Eric said in his statement shared by Tammy.
The Menendez Brothers: Monsters or Misunderstood?
The Menendez brothers, Eric, left, and Lyle on the stairs of their Beverly Hills home in November 1989. (Ronald L. Soble/Los Angeles Times)
Lyle’s family members posted a different reaction to the show on Facebook.
“So these ‘writers/creators’ woke up in the morning, ate their cornflakes, and went to an office where they decided to lie about rape victims who have suffered every day of their lives. Professionals do this for money. Did. How ironic,” he wrote on a public Facebook page where he speaks on behalf of Lyle while he is in prison. “Never forget: There was more evidence of abuse in the first trial than in most successful child abuse trials.”
Lyle Menendez, who shot and killed parents with brother, plans for life after prison amid new appeal
His family described the show as “the most terrifying fantasy miniseries they have ever seen”.
The Menendez brothers’ trial in Los Angeles – Lyle Menendez with his attorney: Jill Lansing. Los Angeles, March 9, 1994. (Ted Socqui/Sigma)
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The brothers’ lawyers have argued that they should have been convicted Murder instead of killing, In such a situation he would have already been released from jail.
A separate documentary about the brothers titled “The Menendez Brothers” is scheduled to premiere on October 7. According to a press release, the film “promises to offer another perspective – that of the brothers themselves, provided in all-new audio interviews.” , It will also contain details of the allegations against the brothers. His father sexually assaulted him.
Fox News’ Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
