Netflix is known for its contribution to the creation of well-known series such as Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and Orange Is the New Black. With Netflix being the number one streaming service of all time, it’s safe to say they have a huge influence on their consumers.
Netflix’s new series “Monsters” has made headlines as its season 2, which premiered Sept. 19, 2024 showcases the infamous Menendez Brothers murder trial. The new season, titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has given viewers a new examination of the high-profile 1989 case where the brothers were found guilty of murdering their wealthy parents in their Beverly Hills home.
Like most crime drama anthology television series, there has been some dramatization added which has given series creator and director Ryan Murphy a lot of backlash. Many have argued that the 9-episode series gives a poor representation of the abuse and trauma the brothers endured and to make matters worse, Murphy has been very public on his choice of not contacting the Menendez Brothers for any statements, according to Vanity Fair.
Although Murphy has no interest in advocating for the brothers, he stated in the same Vanity Fair issue, “I believe in justice, but I don’t believe in being part of that machine.”
This series has prompted a huge influx of support for the brothers, enough that new evidence is being brought forward to the Los Angeles District Attorneys’ office in hopes of a possible release for Erik and Lyle.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were found guilty of murdering their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Many believed the brothers were after their parents multi-million-dollar fortune, but after six years and two trials, the brothers gave several gruesome testimonies detailing the years of physical and sexual abuse they endured by the hands of their parents
They claimed imperfect self-defense with hopes of getting a lesser sentence. The pair were up for the death penalty, but instead were sentenced to life without parole, guilty of murder in the first degree. Erik and Lyle, now 53 and 56 respectively, remain incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California.
Regarding the infamous case, 20-year-old Business Administration student, Linda Santamaria said she learned about the Menendez Brothers through a Buzzfeed video a while back. When asked how she felt about being part of a generation that has brought back enough attention to the case to be reopened again she stated, “Its empowering. To them, they have probably felt like a lost cause after receiving a life sentence so this is a positivity being brought that they never expected.”
Linda believes if this was a recent case it would have received a different outcome. “The sole reason why it turned out the way it did was because they were boys. People believed that this was not something that happened to them during that time. I hope they get out.”
Fox News has reported that thousands of people have been calling the DA’s office as well as countless petitions being signed to allow new evidence to be brought before a judge for review,. The brothers filed an appeal in 2023. They have received the support from not only people online, but high-profile names such as Kim Kardashian and Rosie O’Donnell.
As of Friday Oct. 4, a new hearing has been set for Erik and Lyle amid new accusations of sexual abuse by their father were made by another individual. After three decades behind bars, Erik and Lyle Menendez will appear in court again on Nov. 29, 2024, which could eventually result in a retrial or resentencing for the notorious duo.