Distorted Justice & The Menendez Brothers

 ... Let's Talk About It!

I figured I would talk about the Menendez Brothers and the attention the case is getting now because everyone has seen at least one of the many documentaries/series. And thanks to Kim Kardashian, the whole world is buzzing about the Menendez case again!

I’m writing this to share my opinions (I have a lot) and some perspectives that the media is just not covering!

For those who do not know, the “Menendez Brothers” are Lyle and Eric Menendez. They were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996. At least my generation (I’m 21) was probably not exposed to this case too much because we weren’t even born yet. Today, Lyle and Eric are my parents’ age, but they went to prison when they were 25 and 28… What’s even harder to realize is that they murdered their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, when they were only 18 and 21 years old.

The first trial resulted in two hung juries* and led to a retrial where the brothers were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. At the time, the state of California (where the case was tried) allowed the death penalty.

*Hung Jury: a jury (typically a group of 12 citizens) that is unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding the case (guilty or not-guilty on the counts in the proceeding) 

Something I must point out is how wealthy this family was. Lyle and Erik were very much what could be described as “nepo babies”. They lived a life of luxury and privilege. Unfortunately, they were severely neglected and abused physically, mentally, and sexually throughout their upbringing. This was not revealed or even acknowledged until their trial, except for allegedly telling other family members (this is the new evidence they are considering in the re-trial). The abuse they endured is what really hurts me about this case. Lyle and Erik should obviously pay for their crimes, but there is definitely something to be sympathetic about when it comes to their abuse. This will affect them for the rest of their lives, incarcerated or free.

So, before I go into why I think the media should re-focus their attention on other cases, I want to set the record straight that in no shape or form do I condone the brothers’ actions of murdering their parents. I am also completely sympathetic towards victims of any kind of abuse. I want to acknowledge that discussing high-profile cases like the Menendez case can have significant benefits. These kinds of cases can raise awareness about the multitude of flaws in the justice system including disparities in representation, the complexities of abuse dynamics, or challenges in upholding legal principles like "innocent until proven guilty." These cases can also immensely educate the public by offering real-world examples of legal intricacies. High-profile cases can even expose systemic failures and biases within the system that illustrate even wealthy or well-known defendants are not immune to the justice system's imperfections.

However, these cases completely overshadow the experiences of marginalized communities and financially challenged individuals whose wrongful convictions go unnoticed. The cases of individuals like Marcellus Williams, a Black man whose death penalty conviction has faced serious doubts due to withheld DNA evidence, receive far less attention despite highlighting critical issues in the system. Where was his documentary? Where were his incredible lawyers? When the media focuses on cases involving powerful or wealthy individuals it creates the impression that the justice system is fair for everyone. In reality, most people can’t afford the kind of high-quality legal defense that these prominent figures have access to.

I’m going to be honest- I’ve seen both documentaries: “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and “The Menendez Brothers”. So, I’m definitely contributing to the media attention that I am currently trying to criticize. It’s entertaining- I get it! The documentaries I watched are both streaming on Netflix and these are just two of the SIX shows about them! I do think they should be humanized, and their stories should be told, but how many documentaries and how much media attention do they need?

Why do cases like the Menendez Brothers attract media attention while thousands of wrongfully convicted individuals remain completely invisible?

I’ll tell you. It’s money, power, and influence.

The Menendez brothers were able to hire incredible attorneys to support their defense. According to the court documents, Lyle and Erik’s legal fees for their defense were around $1.95 million. The majority of the United States cannot afford to spend this much on legal representation.

The Menendez case is part of a broader trend where the media overplays criminal cases involving wealthy or prominent individuals. The Menendez case was one of the first to be televised which set a precedent for true crime as entertainment and led to further capitalization. Cases like O.J. Simpson's trial or even the upcoming Sean Combs trial demonstrate a pattern where wealth, celebrity status, and salacious details drive extensive coverage. Diddy already has a documentary out and he was just indicted in September!  The rise of courtroom dramas and documentaries will only harm other wrongfully convicted individuals who do not have access to wealth and fame.

Today, the case has found renewed attention from celebrities like Kim Kardashian*. She’s now advocating for the brothers' release. Kim Kardashian has the right to speak on whatever she pleases, but seriously she chooses the Menendez brothers? Considering how many wrongfully convicted people are on death row… Considering Marcellus Williams… Where was she when he was about to be sentenced to death? Social media and celebrity platforms have this huge influence and what are they choosing to do with it? She’s going to contribute to the SIX documentaries already accessible to the public? The involvement of celebrities like Kim Kardashian in criminal justice advocacy raises so many questions about whether their efforts truly serve justice or merely reinforce existing power dynamics.

*I do really want to acknowledge that she has done very meaningful work regarding marijuana reform and advocating for the release of individuals facing marijuana convictions.

While celebrity attention can seriously help raise awareness, it also distorts the public's understanding of legal issues by prioritizing certain cases over others! This focus diverts attention away from systemic reforms needed to address widespread injustices less privileged individuals face.

What Stories Should We Be Telling?

The media needs to shift its focus to stories that go untold. These stories should be about wrongful convictions of marginalized communities. These cases frequently involve people who lack the resources and public support to effectively challenge their convictions which leaves them to face severe consequences without a fair chance at justice. Literally any case that the Innocence Project is working on should be something we all learn about. The media has such a powerful platform to shine the spotlight on racial inequities and disparities within the justice system. So use it.

With gratitude,

Olivia