On this episode of History of the ’90s, host Kathy Kenzora takes a second look at the murder trials of Erik and Lyle Menendez and asks the question: if the brothers stood trial today, would there be a different outcome in light of our current understanding of sexual abuse and family violence?
On Aug. 20, 1989, Jose and Kitty Menendez were brutally murdered inside the home of their Beverly Hills Mansion. The scene was so gruesome that early speculation focused on the possibility of a mob hit. But soon the focus shifted to the couple’s handsome young sons.
Lyle and Eric Menendez were eventually arrested for the murders and their sensational televised trial kicked off an era of high-profile criminal trials that captured the public’s imagination through the ‘90s.
In fact, it was the Menendez case that cleared the way for the trial of the century, the O.J. trial, and foreshadowed our fascination with true crime docuseries and reality TV.
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