7 Biggest Reveal in the Menendez Brothers Netflix Documentary

Contains spoilers for The Mendez brothers Documentary.

Netflix’s gripping true-crime documentary, The Mendez brothers, Throws new light on One of the most infamous cases in US it. History: The 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Lyle and Erik. Directed by Alejandro Hartmann, the documentary offers a rare glimpse into the brothers’ lives through exclusive interviews, allowing them to speak publicly for the first time in nearly three decades. Viewers are taken behind the scenes of the sensational trials that gripped the nation, with insights from family members, legal experts and people close to the case.

While much of the story of the Menendez brothers may feel familiar, Hartmann’s documentary adds depth through never-before-heard perspectives. The film builds on the renewed interest caused by Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story by Ryan Murphy, but now the brothers themselves take center stage. With over 20 hours of interviews, the documentary explores the allegations of abuse, the brothers’ defense and the complexities behind their lives. For those fascinated by true crime, The Mendez brothers Offers an immersive look at a case that continues to captivate audiences over 30 years later.

7

Erik Menendez’s shock at the lack of suspicion of the police

The police did not see him or Lyle as suspects

in The Mendez brothers documentary, Erik Menendez expressed disbelief that the police did not immediately consider him and Lyle as suspects. “The gunshot residue was all over our hands,” Eric explains, baffled that officers didn’t perform a simple test that would have led to their immediate arrest. He also mentions how the shotgun shells are still in their car, making their connection to the crime even more evident.

The review raises questions about the police’s investigative procedures, underlining A critical failure in the initial response to the case. Eric reflects on his fragile state of mind after the murders, climbing, “If they [police] If I were pressed, I wouldn’t be able to bear any questions.” He describes himself as “Shell-shocked” and mentally overwhelmed, suggesting that he is not in a stable state to maintain a facade.

This vulnerability may have caused him to easily confess under pressure, revealing the psychological impact of the traumatic events. His comments highlight the emotional turmoil of the brothers, as Erik grapples with the consequences of their actions while raising questions about why they are not being investigated more closely by law enforcement.

6

The spending spree of the Menendez brothers was not a celebration

in both Monsters And in real life, the manly expenses of the Mendez brothers after the murder of their parents drew significant attention. They bought Rolex watches, a Porsche Carrera, and even put down a deposit for a restaurant. However, Erik insists that the spending spree is not a celebration of freedom or newfound wealth. “The idea that I have a good time is absurd“, he says in the documentary.

For Erik, the shopping was an attempt to “Cover the terrible sorrow of not wanting to live“ Reveals the depths of his emotional struggle after the tragedy. Lyle also shares his emotional turmoil during this chaotic time. “I don’t enjoy being a playboy,” He explains, against the idea of ​​carefree indulgence.

Lyle describes nights filled with tears, poor sleep, and feelings of loss. He admits to being “Very distraught in time and kind of drifting over all these months.” Rather than a sign of liberation, Their foreign purchases served as a distraction of the deep trauma they experienced. Both brothers discover that their irritable behavior was a way of coping with their overwhelming grief and guilt.

5

José Menendez was worse than he was depicted in Monsters

Evidence suggests he abused more people

Something that didn’t come in Monsters is exactly How unpopular José Menendez was with almost everyone he met. This sentiment was evident during the first trial, where Lyle stated, “People who had such little contact with my father said, ‘This is the most intimidating, worst person I’ve met in my entire life.’ So that’s why there were zero witnesses on my parents. Man because they don’t exist.“

The lack of positive testimonials underscores The profound impact José had on those around him. Even State Attorney Pamela Bozanich acknowledged, “I couldn’t find anyone to say anything nice about José Menendez except his secretary. The loss of José Menendez, in my opinion, was a real plus for humanity.“

Eric also recounted chilling instances of abuse, including a threatening encounter where his father held a knife to his throat, saying, “I should kill you, and next time I will.“Lille’s reflections reveal unrealistic expectations he had of his parents, because he believed he could confront Jose without consequence. Evidence suggests that the abuse allegedly extended to othersIncluding claims made by Roy Rosselló of the boy band Menudo.

4

Erik and Lyle Menendez await the district attorney’s decision

He is now reviewing a new testimony

Erik and Lyle Menendez were reunited at Donovan State Prison in 2018 after spending more than 20 years in prison separately. Despite the long-awaited reunion, Eric grapples with deep guilt for confiding in Lyle about their father’s alleged abuse and for finally confessing the murders to his therapist, Jerome Oziel. “I have him in every aspect of this tragedy,” Eric says, emphasizing his belief that “Every aspect of this tragedy is my fault.“

The deep sense of responsibility weighs heavily on Erik as he reflects on the consequences of their actions. Lyle also struggles with his role in Eric’s fate, questioning whether he truly saved his brother or inadvertently led him to prison. “There comes a point where you just realize, ‘Okay, it’s impossible… I can’t save all of us,'” Lyle admits.

Despite being sentenced to life without parole, The brothers filed a habeas corpus petition in May 2023 to vacate their convictions.Finding new evidence. The district attorney, George Gascon, is now reviewing the evidence, which includes a photocopied letter allegedly sent by one brother who claimed he was a victim of molestation.

3

The Mendez brothers remained protected by their parents

A complex mix of affection and ambivalence

Despite the horrific circumstances surrounding their parents’ deaths, The Menendez brothers expressed a complex mix of affection and ambivalence toward them. Lyle revealed his reluctance to disclose his father’s alleged sexual abuse during the trial, stating, “I would much rather lose the murder trial than talk about our past, and what happened.This highlights the depth of their protective instincts, especially regarding their mother, Kitty. “I miss my mother very much. I wish I could go back and talk to you and give you a hug and tell you I love you.“

While Eric idolized his father as a “Modern version of an ancient Greek god,He acknowledged the complexities of their relationship, saying, “To me as a boy, he was more than just a man.However, he also recognized that his father was rarely the nurturing figure he needed. The memories of the brothers are filled with fear and fear; Although they recount the abuse and murders with a sense of horror, they refrain from direct condemnation.

2

The 90s were a terrible time for boys and men claiming to be sexual assault victims

There was widespread hostility toward male victims

The documentary has strong highlights The pervasive hostility toward male victims of sexual assault during the 90sEspecially in the wake of the Mendez brothers’ accusations against their father. Archival footage reveals a shocking dismissal of their claims, with journalists, comedians and TV presenters openly ridiculing the brothers for their wealth and privilege rather than taking their allegations seriously.

Notably, Kathy Griffin’s tone-deaf routine and a skit on Jay Leno Tonight show Exemplified the callousness of the media. However, the cultural landscape has shifted significantly since the ’90s. The brothers recognized the role of younger generationsEspecially on platforms like TikTok, in reshaping the narrative around their case.

Lyle said, “Young people have taken the time to figure out what happened, and they understand it in ways that older people don’t.He expressed renewed hope, noting,I feel more hopeful when society seems to be understanding sexual abuse even better.“

1

Leslie Abramson did not participate in The Mendez brothers

She decided to leave the case in the past

Leslie Abramson, the famous defense attorney for Erik and Lyle Menendez, is strangely absent from The Mendez brothers Documentary. Although her significant role in the case is acknowledged throughout, Viewers hear from her only through a written statement at the conclusion of the film. In this short message, she reflects on the passage of time, stating, “30 years is a long time. I would like to leave the past in the past.”

She emphasizes that “No amount of media, nor teenage petitions will change the fate of the clients. Only the court can do that, and they ruled.“While many praise her dedication and influence, including those who worked alongside her, prosecutor Pamela Bozanich openly criticizes Abramson during The Mendez brothershighlighting lingering tensions from their courtroom rivalry.

Director Ross Dinerstein commented on Abramson’s choice to avoid participating in the project, expressing hope for her response while respecting her decision to keep distance from the case. he noted, “She has notoriously never spoken since the fall… I wish I could speak for her, but she’s a tough one.”