What you should know about the Menendez brothers and their monster murder case

Ryan Murphy'S Monster sparked a mixed reaction about how Erik Menendez And Lyle MenendezThe murder trial was depicted in the Netflix series – but it's not the only series to cover the controversial case.

After her parents Jose And Kitty Menendezwere murdered in 1989, Erik and Lyle became the main suspects. They were each arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder. Next came two eye-opening trials that left everyone pondering what led Erik and Lyle to kill their mother and father. The siblings, in turn, accused José and Kitty of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Their first trial began in 1993, when the brothers were tried separately. The case ended in a mistrial as the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. A retrial was launched in 1995, but prosecutors successfully challenged most of the evidence surrounding the abuse, meaning Erik and Lyle – who were now on trial together – had to present a new defense.

Lyle refused to take the stand during the second trial to prevent cross-examination following his release The Private Diary of Lyle Menendez: In His Own Words! The Menendez brothers were ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996. They continue to appeal the decision but have been dismissed.

Related: What do “monsters” do wrong about the Erik and Lyle Menendez murder case?

The Netflix series “Monsters” is facing backlash over the way it portrays Lyle Menéndez and Erik Menéndez – particularly the inaccurate details about the events leading up to their murder case. The limited series, which debuted September 19, centers on Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch), who were convicted of the 1989 murder […]

Her case received renewed support in September 2024 after it came into the focus of Murphy's Monster Series. Nicholas Alexander Chavez brought Lyle to life while Erik was played by him Cooper Koch. Meanwhile, José and Kitty were portrayed by Javier Bardem And Chloe Sevignyrespectively.

Monsters came under fire for several scenes that alluded to an incestuous relationship between Lyle and Erik. The younger Menéndez brother publicly commented on the series when he criticized it a day after its release.

“I believed that we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle and created a caricature of Lyle based on terrible and obvious likes that were rampant in the series,” Erik said in a statement was shared via Lyle's Facebook page. “I can only believe they did this on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I say: I believe that Ryan Murphy cannot be so naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives as to do this without malicious intent.”

In response, Murphy urged the Menéndez brothers to watch the show before forming an opinion.

Related: What the 'Monsters' Cast Said About Menendez Inaccuracies and Incest Backlash

The backlash against Ryan Murphy's Monsters continues to grow — and now the cast has spoken out and defended their scripted series about the infamous murder case of Lyle and Erik Menéndez. Season 2 of the hit Netflix series premiered in September and covered the arrest of Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch) in 1989 […]

“I find it interesting that he made a statement without having seen the show. It's really, really hard – if it's your life – to see your life on the screen,” he shared Entertainment tonight in September 2024. “If you look at the show, I would say 60 to 65 percent [of the content centers] around the abuse and what allegedly happened to them. And we do it very carefully and we give them time in court and they talk openly about it.”

In the end, viewers were divided on whether they supported the “how.” Monster portrayed Erik and Lyle – but it's not the only project about the case. Keep scrolling for a guide to several other TV shows and documentary specials highlighting the Menéndez case:

“Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers” (Apple TV+)

ABC released a special in 2017 that examined the evidence that may have pointed to what led Erik and Lyle to kill their parents. Friends and family of the Menéndez brothers were interviewed Truth and Lies: The Menéndez Brothers more than a decade after her conviction.

“The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All” (Prime Video)

While Erik appeared less in public after his sentence began, he spoke to A&E for a five-part documentary. The conversations over several phone calls conveyed Erik's perspective on the murders and the aftermath.

The Menendez Murders: Erik tells everything The special featured never-before-seen photos and new interviews with prosecutors, law enforcement, family and medical experts about the case. Erik said the information he gave to the docuseries was the most comprehensive public conversation he has had since the crime made headlines.

Related: What “Monsters” actually got right about the Erik and Lyle Menendez murder case

Ramey Photo/Mega Agency; Miles Crist/Netflix Ryan Murphy's Monsters received backlash for a variety of inaccuracies surrounding the murders of Lyle Menéndez and Erik Menéndez – but what did the series actually do right? Season 2 of the hit Netflix series, which debuted on September 19, featured a star-studded cast including Nicholas Chavez, Cooper Koch and Javier […]

“Law & Order: True Crime – The Menéndez Murders” (Apple TV+ or Prime Video)

The eight-part special was a spin-off of law and order Franchise that depicted the murder, investigation, arrest and trial of the Menéndez brothers. Law & Order: True Crime – The Menéndez Murders pour Miles Gaston Villanueva to play Lyle, during Gus Halper was made to bring Erik to life. Edie Falco received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of the criminal defense attorney Leslie Abramso.

When the special premiered in 2017, Lyle's family and friends showed their support. Lyle spoke with later Megyn Kelly And titled “Law & Order: True Crime – The Menéndez Murders.” “surprisingly accurate,” even though he didn’t seek advice on the show.

“Menendez: Monster or Misjudged?” (Max and Discovery+)

In 2022 Menendez: Monster or misjudged? was published as an examination of the support the Menéndez brothers have received in the years since the murder. Eric Philips was cast to re-enact certain scenes in the film as Erik.

Related: Could the Menendez brothers be released from prison? Appeal process explained

Erik and Lyle Menéndez's murder case has been brought back into the spotlight with Ryan Murphy's Monsters – but is there a chance their life without parole sentence could be overturned? The Menéndez brothers' parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, were found dead in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. After Lyle called the police, they found out […]

“Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed” (Peacock)

The Peacock documentaries 2023 provided a platform for former Menudo members Roy Rossello to discuss his past with Erik and Lyle's father José. Rosselló claimed that he was drugged and raped by José as a teenager. The singer's allegations were included in a petition filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court to overturn the case.

The court documents called for a retrial, citing new evidence in the case, such as Rosselló's allegations against José and a newly discovered letter Erik wrote to his cousin Andy Cano describes his father's alleged sexual abuse months before the murders.

“The Menendez Brothers” (Netflix)

Less than a week later Monster was released, Netflix announced that Lyle and Erik had been interviewed The Menéndez brothers Documentary. The special, which is scheduled to be released in October 2024, contains recordings of conversations with the juror Betty OldfieldKitty's sister Joan Vander Molen and prosecutor Pamela Bozanich.