48 Hours The Menendez Brothers' Fight for Freedom (Season 37, Episode 21)
TV Episode | Documentary, Crime

Primary photo for The Menendez Brothers' Fight for Freedom

48 Hours

The Menendez Brothers' Fight for Freedom (Season 37, Episode 21)

TV Episode | Documentary, Crime

Beverly Hills, California, August 20, 1989: Growing up surrounded by wealth, luxury and privilege, brothers Joseph Lyle Menendez, age 21, and Erik Galen Menendez, age 19, brutally murdered their father and mother in their Beverly Hills ...See moreBeverly Hills, California, August 20, 1989: Growing up surrounded by wealth, luxury and privilege, brothers Joseph Lyle Menendez, age 21, and Erik Galen Menendez, age 19, brutally murdered their father and mother in their Beverly Hills home. In their two highly publicized trials, the brothers admitted to the shotgun murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez, but claimed they acted in self-defense after their parents physically, mentally and sexually abused them for years. Their true motive was to cash in "early" on their large inheritance of $14 million dollars. However, the legal strategy of "blaming the parents for their own deaths" (aka "blame the victims") did not sway the juries for Lyle Menendez or Erik Menendez. Both young men were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Fast forward to 2024. The infamous double murder case is back in the spotlight after questions arise around whether the murderous brothers, Lyle Menendez and Eric Menendez, should still be behind bars for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. However, the brothers have run out of legal appeals, so it is believed that the only chance they would have for an early release from prison at this point would be if valid new evidence from the 35-year-old murders were to surface. See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Judy Ho Self - Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist Self - Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist See fewer	Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (2021)
Erik Menendez Self - Convicted of Murdering his Parents (archive footage) Self - Convicted of Murdering his Parents (archive footage) See fewer	The Menendez Trial (1994)
Jose Menendez Self - Murder Victim (archive footage) Self - Murder Victim (archive footage) See fewer	Vuelve el ojo de vidrio (1970)
Kitty Menendez Self - Murder Victim (archive footage) Self - Murder Victim (archive footage) See fewer
Lyle Menendez Self - Convicted of Murdering his Parents (archive footage) Self - Convicted of Murdering his Parents (archive footage) See fewer	Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed (2023)