The Menendez Brothers: What You Need to Know Before the New Netflix Series

Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Netflix series, *Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story*, has reignited public interest in the Menendez trial. In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with murdering their parents, Kitty and Jose, in their Beverly Hills home. The brothers contended that the killings were an act of self-defense, claiming they had endured years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.

The case quickly became a media sensation. It went to trial twice: the first ended in a hung jury, and in the second, the brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. During the trials, Judge Stanley Weisberg prohibited the defense from presenting evidence of the alleged abuse. With renewed attention on the Menendez case, defense attorney Cliff Gardner is now seeking to appeal the convictions.

Gardner asserts that new evidence supports the Menendez brothers' defense. Their legal team has uncovered a letter written by Erik to his cousin Andy, in which Erik detailed his father's abuse. While the prosecution had suggested that the brothers fabricated their claims, this letter, dated December 1988—months before the deaths of Kitty and Jose—contradicts that narrative.

CBS News has obtained a copy of the letter, revealing part of Erik’s message:

“I’ve been trying to avoid Dad,” Erik wrote. “It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now…Every night, I stay up thinking he might come in…I’m afraid…He’s crazy. He’s warned me a hundred times about telling anyone, especially Lyle.”

Additionally, a new witness has come forward. Roy Rosello, in a sworn affidavit, alleged that Jose Menendez assaulted him during the 1980s while Rosello was a member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, which was signed to RCA Records by Jose.

These new revelations have bolstered Gardner’s hope of securing the Menendez brothers' release. Gardner told CBS 48 Hours that the court mishandled the case, asserting, “The boys were abused as children… they were abused their whole lives… and this should be considered a manslaughter case, not murder.”

In May 2023, Gardner submitted a habeas corpus petition for the brothers. Although they remain in prison, Gardner's efforts could potentially alter their situation. There are no additional updates at this time.