At the age of 21 and 18, Lyle and Erik Menendez shot and killed their parents, Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. The evening of August 20th 1989, the two brothers stormed the house. They entered the family room, shotguns in hand and fired 16 shots, 10 to their mother and 6 to their father. They left the house, went to the local movie theater attempting to buy an alibi. They came home later that evening and faked a 911 call, pleading “Someone killed my parents,”.
The brothers were the last possible suspects when it first happened, it was only after they started to quickly spend their inheritance money that they were possible suspects. They weren’t taken on that seriously until Erik had gone to his therapist, Dr. Oziel confessed that his brother and he had killed their parents. Erik couldn’t handle the guilt. This was 6 months after the crime had happened. Dr. Oziel had taped the session, unethically, getting the confession on tape. Oziel told his mistress, Julalon Smyth, about the confession. This is a key detail as Julalon Smyth reported this to the police, which is what led to the brothers being arrested.
Why? Everybody who didn’t truly know this story would think that the boys killed their parents purely because they wanted their money, but it was much more concerning than that. Jose Menendez, the father of Lyle and Erik Menendez, abused his boys physically, sexually, and emotionally. He had sexually abused Lyle as a young boy, and then later did the same to Erik, up until he died. The whole time their mother knew what was happening and decided to stay silent. The boys killed their parents out of self defense, but still, they were both found guilty and charged to life in prison without chance of parole on July 2nd, 1996.
Personally, I can see both sides of this debate. I can see why some would say the boys should still be punished as they did still commit murder that was premeditated. On the other hand, I can see that they did this out of self defense, and they thought that they would have been killed by their parents if they had not acted first.
What do you think about this case?
Do you think the brothers should have a chance at parole?
Do you think that the Menendez brothers would have been killed by their parents if they hadn’t acted first?
Replies
Do you think the brothers should have a chance at parole? I do not believe that they should have a chance at parole. This is because they both knew that thye were commiting murder and they were old enough to know right from wrong. Also they could have told somone about what was going on.
I can see your point, and it is good to have different persepectives. Do you think the brothers thought this was the better way out at then they didn't have to expose their parents and ruin their name, but could get rid of the problem?
1.) I think the case is very interesting, sad, and disturbing. Due to the physical and mental abuse they faced, I think they were pushed to their limits and just finally snapped. It's a very sad story, and I don't think anyone should have to go through what the brothers went through.
I think that the brothers should have a chance at parole. If the brothers went through everything they claimed, I could see how they couldn't take it anymore. The brothers have been abused in serious ways. They should be given a second chance and have a chance at parole because no one should have gone through what they went through.
I agree that the Menendez brothers should a chance at parole. There will be a hearing soon where a judge will decided if they will get a chance at parole. What do you find most interesting about this case? Why do you think it took them so long to suspect the brothers?
They acted in self defense so they should have a chance at parole, If they are showing good behavior. I can see how this goes both ways, but I feel like since the made an alibi and tried covering it up without going to the police for awile that they dug themsleves into a deeper hole.
I like how you said "If they are showing good behavior", as I think that plays a big part in it. I do not think people should have second chances if they have not shown that they deserve it. Do you think the Menendez brothers deserve a second chance?
I believe the Menendez brothers should get a chance at parole, after everything they've been through I think it would be good for them. For how abusive the brothers' father was I can see why the brothers thought they would be dead and deeply affected if they didn't kill their parents. It was not right what the parents did but instead of killing their parents the brothers should have gone to tell someone.
I agree with you on this topic because I think they had a reason to kill their parents but It doesnt make it right. They should have told someone about their family issues, do you think that they thought they had no one to trust since their parents messed up their mental state?
I think what people would do if they were being abused they would call someone for help or a least tell someone not kill their parnets. But if they coulnd't do anything about it and they've been abused a lot i could see why they would kill them but I just don't see why to do that.
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