The Trial of the Menendez Brothers

A Look Back at a Sensational Case

The Crime

On August 20, 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez brutally attacked and killed their parents, Kitty and Jose, in their Beverly Hills home. The brothers were just 18 and 21 years old at the time.

The Trial

The highly publicized trial began in July 1993 and lasted for six months. The prosecution argued that the brothers had killed their parents out of greed and self-interest. The defense argued that the brothers had been abused by their parents and that they killed them in self-defense.

The Verdict

In March 1996, the jury found the brothers guilty of first-degree murder. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Aftermath

The Menendez case remains one of the most notorious trials in American history. It has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films. The case raised questions about parental abuse and the limits of self-defense.

Erik and Lyle Menendez Today

Erik and Lyle Menendez are currently serving their sentences at Mule Creek State Prison in California. They have both expressed remorse for their crimes and have said that they are working to rehabilitate themselves.

Additional Information

For more information on the Menendez case, please refer to the following resources: - [Wikipedia article on the Menendez brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menendez_brothers) - [CNN article on the Menendez trial](https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/14/us/erik-lyle-menendez-decision-trnd/index.html) - [The Menendez brothers' website](https://www.menendezbrothers.com/)