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Justin Betancourt

Since the ‘80s, the Menendez brothers have remained one of the most famous duos in crime history. What makes their case so unique is the trauma and mind twists that come with it. Was it murder? Was it their only way out? In 1996, Erik and Lyle Menendez got life without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. However, decades later, after everyone thought their book was permanently closed, their story has been brought back to light. 

Earlier this year, the Monsters series came out on Netflix. The true-crime drama follows the life of the Menendez brothers and all that went into the murders of their parents. After this disturbing, yet raw series aired, multiple new perspectives came out about their story. New generations were introduced to the horrors the Menendez brothers faced. 

Throughout the trials that started July 1993, the Menendez brothers revealed the truth: their father had been sexually abusing them their entire lives. Erik Menendez said it “never ended.” The assault had been continuously happening from the ages of 8 to 18 years old. This was when his older brother, Lyle, decided that the only way out was to murder their parents. 

With this, the brothers eventually got caught and sentenced to life in prison. Throughout the years, it seemed like there would never be a way out or that they would never be with their families again. However, their case was reopened in October of this year.

On Oct. 30, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic announced that the brothers’ court hearing will be held on December 11 where they will be put in front of a judge to be resentenced. He recommended that they each be resentenced to 50 years to life and be made available for the possibility of parole. This would completely change the game in terms of freedom for the Menendez brothers; it would be a chance for them to be free and heal their traumas out in the world.

So, what have the Menendez brothers been up to all these years? This may come as a surprise to some, but they have been accomplishing great things. Erik and Lyle both live in a non-designated facility which gives the inmates more freedom in terms of rehabilitation and education opportunities. Erik focuses his time on working with terminally ill inmates and leading classes on religion and spirituality. Lyle doesn’t fall short of volunteer work either, as he focuses on prison reform and providing guidance to those who have been impacted by sexual assault. 

However, despite all the good the brothers are up to now, opinions vary here at Charter. With many other cases that relate to abuse by parents upon their children, junior Lola Martinez believes the brothers deserve a second chance. “Gypsy Rose killed her mother due to the abuse she was being put through and she got out of prison. I just think they should get the same second chance,” she says.

While that may be true in some lights, junior Nicholas Armand believes that murder is just not right in any aspect at all. “Although it was somewhat justified, murder is not the answer. [Because of that], I just don’t think they deserve a resentencing.”

While views differ globally, the Menendez brothers are still set to face the judge in December to see if they will be able to celebrate the holidays for the first time in decades with their families. No matter the outcome, their popularity throughout the past months has brought awareness to the victims of sexual assault and abuse. It is now all in the hands of the court to see if Erik and Lyle Menendez will see the sun in all of its beauty again next month.