The Menendez Brothers’ 1993 trial was one of the most heavily watched cases on TV at the time. See pics of the convicted duo.
Erik Menendez and brother Lyle Menendez had bright futures ahead of them before they shot and killed their parents, Jose and Kitty, inside their Beverly Hills mansion on August 20, 1989. Initially the two were not suspected, as they convincingly played grieving sons.
The brothers went on to spend money wildly after their parents murders, blowing through nearly a million dollars on everything from cars and jewelry, to purchasing restaurants. Eventually, police found out that Erik had confessed his crime to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel. The brothers were subsequently arrested in 1990.
They were tried separately, but both of them claimed that they killed their parents after years of sexual and emotional abuse. The first trial ended up with the jury deadlocked. A second jury ended up convicting both Lyle and Erik after the judge limited testimony about their abuse claims and took the manslaughter option off the table. The brothers were convicted of first-degree murder, and of conspiracy to commit murder. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
See photos of Erik and Lyle Menendez in the gallery below.
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Erik Menendez before killing his parents
Erik Menendez seen prior to the murders of his parents. He had a bright future, accepted to UCLA, and his brother Lyle wasa Princeton student when they shot and killed their parents Jose and Kitty inside their Beverly Hills mansion on August 20, 1989.
November 30, 2017, 4:22PM 2 of 13
Erik Menendez as a teen
Erik Menendez seen in a photo as a teenager wearing a pink shirt.
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Erik Menendez poses in a tuxedo
Erik Menendez poses in a tuxedo on a balcony in front of a lake. He grew up with a priviledged life in Beverly Hills.
November 30, 2017, 4:22PM 4 of 13
Erik Menendez testifies in his murder case
Nick Ut/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Erik Menendez takes the stand in his own defense, accused of the murders of his parents Jose and Kitty.
November 30, 2017, 4:22PM 5 of 13
Lyle Menendez watches testimony during his trial
Lyle Menendez watches testimony during his trial for killing his parents Jose and Kitty inside their Beverly Hills mansion
September 26, 2017, 7:55PM
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Lyle Menendez in a prison mugshot
Lyle Menendez as seen in a prison mugshot. He shared off his head of dark, thick hair.
September 26, 2017, 7:55PM 7 of 13
Erik Menendez at his murder trial
Erik Menendez looks concerned during his murder trial for killing his parents Jose and Kitty.
September 26, 2017, 7:55PM 8 of 13
Erik & Lyle Menendez make a court appearance
Erik & Lyle Menendez make a court appearance after being arrested for the August 20, 1989 murders of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home.
September 26, 2017, 7:55PM 9 of 13
Lyle & Eric Menendez in court
Lyle & Eric Menendez as seen in a court hearing in 1990. They were later convicted of first degree murder for shooting their parents to death.
September 26, 2017, 7:55PM 10 of 13
Lyle Menendez wears a plaid shirt in court
Lyle Menendez looks downcast during his murder trial while wearing a colorful plaid shirt.
September 26, 2017, 7:55PM 11 of 13
Lyle & Erik Menendez look concerned while in court
Lyle & Erik Menendez have a moment of concern while facing the judge in their murder case, standing accused of killing their parents Jose and Kitty. l
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Erik Menendez’ most current mug shot
Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock
Erik Menendez is seen in this Oct. 31, 2016 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Sorry ladies, he’s a married man despite serving a life sentence for double murder.
April 1, 2021, 8:39PM 13 of 13
Lyle Menendez smiles in this Feb.. 2018 prison photo
Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock
Lyle Menendez is all smiles in this Feb. 22, 2018 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He sure has changed from when he was a clean-cut Princeton student accused of murdering his parents.
April 1, 2021, 8:39PM Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news. Articles Trending Now
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