What did the Menendez brothers do? What Was Lyle and Erik’s Crime?
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Image Credit: Soqui Ted
Brothers Lyle Menendez, and Erik Menendez saw a fictionalized version play out on silver screen. What exactly did Lyle and Erik do that made them two of the most famous criminals in modern American history? But what exactly did Lyle and Erik do that made them two of the famous criminals in modern American history?
Below, Hollywood Life has compiled all the details about the Menendez brothers’ case after the Los Angeles District Attorney announced his recommendation for a possible resentencing.
Who Are Lyle and Erik Menendez?
Lyle (real name: Joseph Lyle Menendez) and Erik were born two years apart from each other, with Lyle being born in January 1968 in New York City, and Erik in 1970 in New Jersey. They lived with their parents, Jose Enrique Menendez and Mary Louise “Kitty” Andersen, in the Hopewell Township of New Jersey before they eventually relocated to Beverly Hills, California.
(Photo by Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)
What did the Menendez brothers do? They shot them 14 times in their Beverly Hills house. Upon investigating the crime scene, police initially believed that the mob was involved due to how violent Jose and Mary’s murders appeared.
Although authorities didn’t initially suspect the brothers, police received a tip from Judalon Smyth — the mistress of Erik’s psychologist,
Dr. Jerome Oziel —
, about Erik confessing about the murders to his therapist. Erik and Lyle were both arrested in 1990. A judge ruled that tapes between Erik and his doctor were acceptable forms of evidence because Erik’s doctor claimed his patient threatened him, which violated their doctor-patient privilege.Erik and Lyle were formally charged in 1992 with the murders of their mother and father, and their 1993 trial became nationwide news.Why Did the Menendez Brothers Kill Their Parents?
During their trials, both brothers claimed they shot their parents after being subjected to abuse throughout their childhood. Lyle and Erik accused their late father of sexual abuse and their late mother of neglecting them because of her alcoholism and drug addiction.
Where Are Lyle and Erik Menendez Now?
Since both Lyle and Erik received life sentences without the possibility of parole, they’re both behind bars at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California.
The brothers ended up getting married while in prison. Erik married Tammi Saccoman
(his wife) in 1999. Lyle married his ex-wife
Anna Eriksson for the first time in 1996. They divorced in 2001. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE, if you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse. A trained staff will offer confidential, judgement-free support and local resources that can help with healing, recovery and more.
