The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom | Full Episode

CASE UPDATE: On Oct. 24, 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said he is recommending Erik and Lyle Menendez be resentenced for the 1989 killings of their parents. The case will now go to a judge for a final decision.

In March 2024, "48 Hours" contributor Natalie Morales reported on new evidence in the case: a letter between cousins and an affidavit, revealing a decades-old secret. Watch more full episodes of "48 Hours" on Pluto TV.

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True crime. Real justice. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives.

[mommybear]

For them to say that Jose was not the "type" of person to sexually abuse his children is utterly asinine. As a young (22 yrs old) nurse I was raped by a well respected doctor. Don't talk to me about "type."

[dorcasmalorcas]

"Did you ask him not to" is such a fukked up question to ask someone raped by their father.

[komal.]

People saying that they're grown men who could leave... my husband was physically abused by his father, and to this day, his father has the weirdest hold on him. He still fears him like a child but still won't leave him. Abuse has different effects on different people.

[michellerojas]

The lady in the pink is probably the type of person to hide something like this if it happened in her family. With the way she’s talking so dismissive to the brothers but so understanding to the parents???

[Warriorrestoration]

As a survivor of rape by my older brother when I was 11. I can fully relate to the brothers and how they handled the trauma. For years I had a rage that would burn for a short period and then I would simply mentally push it down and act like a fully normal kid. It's only by the grace of God that I never killed anyone or killed myself.

[GabriellaRodriguezx]

My mother was molested by her step father at the age of 15…my mother had me at the age of 18. She was young, but very protective and very concerned with my wellbeing at all times. I forget the reasoning, however, she left me with her grandmother for maybe an hour or less to get an errand done. When she returned, she realized her uncle was in the house, and my grandmother had explained that he had recently changed my diaper…after my mother specifically asked all family members to never let ANY males, other than my father, change my diaper. My mother grabbed a knife and confronted her uncle and continuously asked him if he had touched me inappropriately. She immediately took me home and blew up on my great grandmother. You have to understand…trauma will make anyone crazy and will fuel something in them that others who haven’t endured that trauma, could ever understand. I am so grateful for the mother I was blessed with. She didn’t deserve what happened to her…but I will say, it instilled a protection over my brother and I that I will always appreciate. The system failed these boys. Without a doubt.

[louiseb]

Sins of the father and silence of the mother.

[LunarMoonGod]

I am totally disgusted by this lady in pink suit. Also, their very own uncle wanted them jailed forever saying the boys are just after their parent's wealth. Are they Sir, or your intention is so you can benefit from your late sister's money while the boys are behind bars? Just my thought.

[denisebenedict]

One thing that should have never happened is for the same Judge to preside over both trials.

[eceleste]

Psychologist here: The black respected lady in pink suit has no clue about how trauma works and the outcomes of it. They keep treating these boys as if they were not traumatized; speaking of how and what should they have done almost dismissing their traumas which led to the killings. Also, individuals are different some might stay frozen and in denial for years and years, to the point that traumatic events can be only recalled with hypnosis, some develop psychological conditions that are severe like Borderline personality disorder to name one, some flee, and some like the brothers fight, and even the fighting is different for everyone. One can't apply value judgement or moral judgement on traumatic responses. And one can not treat a traumtized person with the standards of what "I would do in such a case" while one is sitting comfortably in the couch having no clue about the absolute horror, mind-bending, soul wrenching terror that such trauma induces.

This case was not your classical self defense case, and it shouldnt be tried as such. The trauma and sexual abuse happened in closed doors, in the most intimate space one has: their room and in the shower. It is obvious that they could never apply "self defense" once alone only with him even if they were physically stronger than him, trauma doesnt allow that. So, they found out an opportunity when they were together and not compromised in a 1:1 situation with him. This is their self defense case, shooting him when he is not overpowering them, when they are not isolated alone with this big man with their face smashed on the pillow while he rapes them. This is their self defense.

[carolynrodriguez]

This makes me think of my mother, who has suffered schizophrenia all her life. It finally came to light that she had been horrifically abused by her father while her mother knew what was happening. My mom just checked out. And for me, now a grown adult, it all makes sense. God Bless her. And God Bless all who had to endure this.

[cathenry]

Those of u who shared their abuse, im so sorry u went through that but i am so glad u spoke up. I hope you all find, peace and happiness for the rest of ur days 💜

[RRodriguez-nygc]

This is not surprising…
Reason why so many victims do not come forward. The victims are re victimized over and over when they come forward.

[godlygirls]

My "father" physically, psychologically, mentally and verbally abused me, my 4 siblings and our mother. From ages 4-12, he sexually abused me. He stopped sexually abusing me when I grew big enough to fight him off. It's during this time I suspect he began sexually abusing one of my sisters, who has become a transgender male.

People have no idea how traumatizing it is to divulge this abuse, only to be told what was said to me by my mom when at age 12, I finally told her about the abuse.

Her response was "get out of here you liar ". This was as devastating as the sexual abuse.

This kind of abuse wounds the spirit, soul and mind. It does horrible, horrible damage.

I believe these brothers. They had every right to unalive any monster who abused them in this way. If the mother knew, as mine and millions of other mothers do, but turn a blind eye in denial, the mother is just as guilty.

[sofiamorosin]

So sad to read how many people got abused by their parents. So sorry for all of you. I hope you find the strength to talk about it and close this trauma chapter of yours. I pray for you.

[SherylWanland]

Thank you Roy and Andy for telling the truth… there is no worse crime than a crime against a child!!! I’m a mom of 7 children… it’s our job as a mother to protect our children from everything… I’m so sorry to everyone that has been through sexual abuse and then more abuse for coming forward.. it makes my heart hurt. I pray God heals all the abused children of the world.

[tarikbleak]

"He's not the type of person to grape someone." Oh a Hollywood producer isn't that kind of person? Right...

[Brianesha]

The fact that some family members said the dad was abusive spoke volumes. There’s no limit to what a person like that can do. If he’s physically abusive to kids what else could he be doing?

[retpal]

Knowing what we know now about Hollywood and the music industry, this is much more believable.

[manifestedbeauty]

I'll never ever understand Kitty's silence... She knew. She knew and did nothing. Lyle and Eric deserve justice and their freedom.