Thirty-five years after murdering their parents in Southern California, Erik and Lyle Menendez may be granted a resentencing, with advocates citing a move towards justice spurred by recent media attention and true crime content. The brothers were convicted in 1989, but their second trial excluded evidence of abuse they claimed to have suffered at the hands of their parents. Following the release of Netflix documentaries about the case, public support for the brothers has grown, leading to calls for their release.
True crime content like podcasts and documentaries has had a significant impact on real cases, such as Adnan Syed’s overturned conviction after the “Serial” podcast raised questions about his guilt. Similarly, the documentary “The Jinx” played a role in the conviction of Robert Durst, who confessed on camera. However, Brandon Dassey, featured in “Making a Murderer,” was less fortunate as his conviction was ultimately upheld despite public outcry.
The Menendez brothers’ case was brought back into the public eye through Netflix series and social media campaigns, prompting calls for a reassessment of their sentence. Kim Kardashian even wrote an opinion piece advocating for their release. Recently, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón recommended resentencing due to new evidence of alleged abuse that has surfaced after the documentaries aired. The case serves as an example of how true crime content can lead to renewed interest and potential justice in long-closed cases.
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