Leslie was one of the most highly publicized names throughout Lyle and Erik’s 1990s trials. See pics of her from then and now.
Brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez were involved in one of America’s most well-known celebrity criminal trials. The siblings killed their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in August 1989, claiming that they were subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse throughout their childhoods. During their 1990s trials, attorney Leslie Abramson was at the forefront of their case.
Leslie initially represented Erik in court, then both him and his brother up until their 1996 conviction. In the latest adaptation of the brothers’ case, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Leslie was played by actress Ari Graynor. Ari told Variety in October 2024 that the real-life Leslie “really took a step back” following the Menendez siblings’ trial “not only because this case in particular was so painful for her, but she also did not mince words about the media and its effects on things.”
In 2024, Entertainment Tonight shared a video of the former attorney amid the renewed attention on the brothers’ case from Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story and The Menendez Brothers documentary. In reference to these shows, Leslie expressed, “That piece of s**t I heard about? No, I don’t watch any of those.” When asked about Lyle and Erik’s upcoming court hearing, she stated, “I will make no comments about my client. None whatsoever.”
Scroll through the gallery to see photos of Leslie during the Menendez brothers’ trial and throughout the 2000s, below.
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Leslie Abramson Talking to Erik Menendez in 1994
Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie and Erik spoke during the brothers’ 1994 trial in Los Angeles.
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Leslie Abramson at the Menendez Brothers’ Trial
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie listened in as the Menendez brothers’ 1990s case played out in court.
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Leslie Abramson in Court
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie defended Erik first, but then represented both him and his brother, Lyle.
October 7, 2024, 9:16AM 4 of 12
Leslie Abramson Speaking With Erik Menendez
Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie and Erik had a private discussion in court.
October 7, 2024, 4:55PM 5 of 12
Leslie Abramson With Erik Menendez
Getty Images
Leslie and Erik were photographed sitting beside each other in court.
October 7, 2024, 4:52PM
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Leslie Abramson Talking to the Media
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Leslie was interviewed by various reporters and journalists following a hearing about Lyle’s request to get married.
October 7, 2024, 4:50PM 7 of 12
Leslie Abramson in Front of Reporters
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie was seen in this moment talking to a large crowd of reporters in L.A.
October 7, 2024, 9:16AM 8 of 12
Leslie Abramson Speaking to the Media
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Leslie was regularly stopped by media outlets throughout the 1990s while representing Erik and Lyle.
October 7, 2024, 4:52PM 9 of 12
Leslie Abramson in Court
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie stood up in court to present the brothers’ side of the story.
October 7, 2024, 9:16AM 10 of 12
Leslie Abramson Walking Out of Court
Getty Images
Leslie was photographed walking out of the court house in Los Angeles during the brothers’ 1990s trial.
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Leslie Abramson in 2005
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Leslie was photographed in 2005 in Los Angeles.
October 7, 2024, 4:54PM 12 of 12
Leslie Abramson in 2007
Lucy Nicholson-Pool/Getty Images
Leslie, who retired from practicing law, appeared at the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector in 2007.
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