CA v. MENENDEZ (1993)

Overview

Brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez are on trial for the August 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in the family’s Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers were arrested in March 1990 after Erik confessed during a session with his psychologist. During the highly publicized trial, the prosecution claimed the motive was greed as the brothers stood to inherit $14 million. The defense claimed that it was an act of self–defense in a desperate attempt to escape years of childhood family violence and sexual abuse.