The Menendez Brothers case remains one of the most infamous true crime stories in American history. In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez brutally murdered their wealthy parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Initially, the brothers claimed innocence, but their lavish spending spree after the murders raised suspicions. During their trial, they claimed years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their father drove them to kill. The case divided the public—were they victims or ruthless killers? After two trials, they were sentenced to life without parole. In this episode of The Minor Details, Pete and I break down the case, examine both sides of the argument, and discuss why it continues to spark debate decades later.
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The Menendez Brothers case remains one of the most infamous true crime stories in American history. In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez brutally murdered their wealthy parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Initially, the brothers claimed innocence, but their lavish spending spree after the murders raised suspicions. During their trial, they claimed years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their father drove them to kill. The case divided the public—w...