Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dives into the historic case that took the world by storm, paved the way for audiences’ modern-day fascination with true-crime and in return asks: Who are the real monsters?
Newly streaming on Sept. 19 on Netflix, stars Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch as Lyle and Erick, play the real-life brothers in this series.
The 10-episode season unravels the notorious story of two brothers who killed their parents at their home in Beverly Hills, California, in 1989. And closely depicts “the events surrounding the brutal slayings,” Netfilx said in a statement.
Ultimately, the show examines whether the brothers were cold-blooded killers seeking to inherit their family’s fortune, as the prosecution argued. Or, if they were victims of a lifetime of physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Mendenez, as the defense claimed and the brothers maintain to this day.
The recent resurgence of this case has caused it to be re-evaluated due to new evidence, including written allegations by Erik, stating that he was sexually abused by his father, letters from Erik to his cousin about the sexual abuse that was inflicted upon him, as well as Roy Rosselo, a former member of the band Menudo, a band controlled by Jose under his music executive, came forward and claimed he was also abused during the duartion of his control. That was not a factor during the original trial in 1996. Many followers of the case, as well as family of the brothers, believe that their original conviction of first-degree murder and life in prison with no parole was too harsh. Since their actions were being portrayed more as an act of self-defense, people believe manslaughter would have been a more fitting charge, and that murder was too severe due to the motive of the killings.
The case is currently being investigated by prosecutors, who are trying to determine whether or not the new evidence would have affected the outcome of the case. This evidence could change things; it is still up to the court to determine the brothers’ fate, which will begin on November 26. So, whether you are a long time follower of the case, or a new fan due to the recent popularity it has taken on with the show, everyone will get the opportunity to follow the brothers journey to freedom or conviction once again.
