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Morderstwo Menendezów. Historia Lyle’a i Erika
Co naprawdę wydarzyło się w domu Lyle’a i Erika Menendezów?
Menendezowie z pozoru stanowili rodzinę idealną – kochali się, byli szanowani przez otoczenie, mieszkali w luksusowej willi w Beverly Hills, opływając w dostatku.
Sielanka jednak została przerwana. Bracia Lyle i Erik zastrzelili swoich rodziców. Na przesłuchaniu oznajmili, że ojciec stosował wobec nich przemoc, a także wykorzystywał ich seksualnie.
Czy to, co mówili było prawdą czy też ich celem było odziedziczenie wielomilionowego spadku? Dziennikarz Robert Rand dogłębnie zbadał tę jedną z najgłośniejszych spraw kryminalnych lat 90-tych. W oparciu o wywiady z obydwoma braćmi odkrył niezwykłe szczegóły, które z pewnością zmieniłyby losy obu mężczyzn skazanych na dożywocie bez możliwości zwolnienia warunkowego.
Sprawa ta stała się inspiracją dla serialu Potwory. Historia Lyle’a i Erika Menendezów produkcji Netflix.
Menendezowie z pozoru stanowili rodzinę idealną – kochali się, byli szanowani przez otoczenie, mieszkali w luksusowej willi w Beverly Hills, opływając w dostatku.
Sielanka jednak została przerwana. Bracia Lyle i Erik zastrzelili swoich rodziców. Na przesłuchaniu oznajmili, że ojciec stosował wobec nich przemoc, a także wykorzystywał ich seksualnie.
Czy to, co mówili było prawdą czy też ich celem było odziedziczenie wielomilionowego spadku? Dziennikarz Robert Rand dogłębnie zbadał tę jedną z najgłośniejszych spraw kryminalnych lat 90-tych. W oparciu o wywiady z obydwoma braćmi odkrył niezwykłe szczegóły, które z pewnością zmieniłyby losy obu mężczyzn skazanych na dożywocie bez możliwości zwolnienia warunkowego.
Sprawa ta stała się inspiracją dla serialu Potwory. Historia Lyle’a i Erika Menendezów produkcji Netflix.
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2018
307 people are currently reading
3983 people want to read
About the author
Robert Rand
4 books5 followersRobert Rand is an Emmy award winning journalist who began covering the Menendez brothers' case for the Miami Herald the day after the killings on August 21,1989. He was in court daily for both trials in 1993-94 and 1995-96 and provided analysis for Court TV, ABC, and CBS News. Rand spent three days interviewing both brothers 2 months after the murders and 5 months before their March 1990 arrest. The Miami Herald published the first speculation that the investigation was focused on them in Dec 1989. Rand's cover story for People Magazine, "A Beverly Hills Paradise Lost," was published March 26, 1990.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
September 7, 2018
I was a teenager when the criminal trials took place and remember how this case was covered extensively by the media. While I had long ago forgotten some of the details, I did remember the basics. Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their wealthy parents, went on a spending spree, and when they were arrested for the murders they claimed their father had sexually abused them for years and their mother did nothing to stop him. On a much lighter note, I will always remember the brothers' pastel sweaters and defense attorney Leslie Abramson's glorious head of hair.
The author of this book was involved in this case as a reporter very early on, before the brothers were even arrested. He was writing a piece on the life and accomplishments of the father, Jose Menendez, and sat down and talked with both brothers as well as other family members. He sat in on the trial, at one point even having to testify, and was involved with the recent tv show about the murders and trials on NBC. So it's very fair to say he has a lot of knowledge about the case and therefore was really able to deliver a comprehensive look at not just the court case but also the family history.
If there is one thing I felt was missing in the book, it was a lack of a good update on the brothers' lives in prison. The author has been in contact with at least one of the brothers, Lyle, as evident by a photo included in the book of the two of them taken in May of 2018. I just found it to be very minimal especially when you compare it to the rest of the book that went into great detail about their lives.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you are at all interested in the case. There were quite a few details I had forgotten ( Erik had a jail cell right next to O.J. Simpson for a brief time) and many more I never knew until reading.
Thank you to Netgalley and BenBella books for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! All views expressed are my honest opinion.
The author of this book was involved in this case as a reporter very early on, before the brothers were even arrested. He was writing a piece on the life and accomplishments of the father, Jose Menendez, and sat down and talked with both brothers as well as other family members. He sat in on the trial, at one point even having to testify, and was involved with the recent tv show about the murders and trials on NBC. So it's very fair to say he has a lot of knowledge about the case and therefore was really able to deliver a comprehensive look at not just the court case but also the family history.
If there is one thing I felt was missing in the book, it was a lack of a good update on the brothers' lives in prison. The author has been in contact with at least one of the brothers, Lyle, as evident by a photo included in the book of the two of them taken in May of 2018. I just found it to be very minimal especially when you compare it to the rest of the book that went into great detail about their lives.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you are at all interested in the case. There were quite a few details I had forgotten ( Erik had a jail cell right next to O.J. Simpson for a brief time) and many more I never knew until reading.
Thank you to Netgalley and BenBella books for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! All views expressed are my honest opinion.
September 3, 2018
This is a well researched and written look at the famous case that is a coherent look at the crime from before and after. It shares what was really going on in the family, in the marriage and between Jose and the sons. Was this really such a happy family or a toxic mess? It claims to be the definitive book on the case and it pretty much reads like it too. It felt like a lot more information was known as I was reading it, or was it just that so much time has gone by also. Such a sad ending to a once-promising family living the millionaire lifestyle in Beverly Hills.
One son going to school in Princeton, and the other slated to go to college in California. All smoke and mirrors. The mother had a drinking and pill problem, and possibly mental health issues going on. The father was a ruthless businessman that was hated by many around him in business and had scores of enemies. But he was very successful. It was all about to blow sky high. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Robert Rand, and the publisher for my fair review.
BenBella Books
Pub: Sept. 4th, 2018
My Bookzone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
One son going to school in Princeton, and the other slated to go to college in California. All smoke and mirrors. The mother had a drinking and pill problem, and possibly mental health issues going on. The father was a ruthless businessman that was hated by many around him in business and had scores of enemies. But he was very successful. It was all about to blow sky high. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Robert Rand, and the publisher for my fair review.
BenBella Books
Pub: Sept. 4th, 2018
My Bookzone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
September 4, 2018
“The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story Of The Menendez Family And The Killings That Stunned A Nation” (2018) is an authoritative well researched True Crime expose written by award winning investigative journalist and media consultant Robert Rand. Rand was assigned to cover the Menendez case by the Miami Herald (1989) and is the only journalist to interview Lyle and Erik Menendez before and after their arrest that led to the sensational murder trial of the century. Their parents Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez were found brutally shot to death in their Beverly Hills mansion on August 20th 1989.
It was abundantly clear the brothers were immature, sheltered and excessively indulged by their wealthy parents. Lyle had been attending Princeton and Erik was preparing to attend UCLA. Jose had used his wealth and prestige for his son’s admittance to Ivy League colleges, and supervised their training to become tennis champions. With Lyle’s expulsion from Princeton and Erik’s involvement in petty crime, the brothers were an embarrassment and disappointment to their socially and class conscious parents, and they may have been in the process of disinheriting them at the time of the murder’s.
The Menendez perfect family image carefully crafted by Jose and Kitty quickly dissolved. The brothers seemed unaware of how they were perceived by others. Following the murders, they lavishly spent their parent’s fortune on luxury goods and property before their arrest in March (1990). Rand illustrated the difficulty the defense team had devising their strategy and a motive for the brother’s horrific crime. The public was wary of the “abuse excuse”-- were the brother’s villains or victims? The unfair character assassination of Jose and Kitty Menendez was taken to a level seldom seen by the public. Rand seems to follow this pattern as well, as this bias is indirectly exposed. The family photos featured in news articles, documentaries, and books about the case speak a thousand words for this couple unable to defend themselves.
There were several factors that played significant roles in the first trail: the fierceness that Leslie Abramson defended Erik Menendez, the sneaky unprofessional conduct of psychotherapist Leon J. Oziel and his mistress Judalon Smyth, the permission granted for the presence of Court TV. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. William Vicary spent over 50 hours interviewing the paranoid and suspicious Lyle Menendez, and avoided taking notes due to Lyles mistrust. Dr. Ann Burgess (University of Pennsylvania) professor of psychiatric nursing interviewed Erik for over 50 hours: she testified about the “neurobiology of fear” how adrenalin and stress hormones alter brain chemistry causing hyper-vigilance and the constant search for danger. These doctors were all in agreement over their case findings. It was particularly telling that Dominick Dunne (1925-2009), who was covering the trial for Vanity Fair, (his daughter had also been a murder victim) was taken aback by the tearful heart wrenching testimony the brothers gave of their alleged sexual abuse.
Whether or not readers agree with the author’s viewpoints, readers get an excellent narration of the Cuban heritage and family history, Lyle and Erik’s privileged upbringing with their true character and reckless irrational behaviors, the trial, the sensationalism of the media following, the attorney’s that defended and prosecuted, law enforcement and medical professionals, family members, friends and associates connected to the case and more. Nonetheless, readers can understand Jose and Kitty Menendez in a positive light -- what a brilliant, self-made ambitious successful businessman he was. Kitty was a socialite and former beauty queen when she married her handsome husband; life was good. Kitty became a homemaker and mother, which was customary for that time period. Despite family dysfunction, Jose and Kitty seemed devoted to one another and loved Lyle and Erik. The human condition never allows for a picture perfect life. Jose and Kitty Menendez did not deserve to succumb to such a violent and vicious ending. Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty of (conspiracy to commit) first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 2, 1996. ** With thanks and appreciation to BenBella Books Inc. via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
It was abundantly clear the brothers were immature, sheltered and excessively indulged by their wealthy parents. Lyle had been attending Princeton and Erik was preparing to attend UCLA. Jose had used his wealth and prestige for his son’s admittance to Ivy League colleges, and supervised their training to become tennis champions. With Lyle’s expulsion from Princeton and Erik’s involvement in petty crime, the brothers were an embarrassment and disappointment to their socially and class conscious parents, and they may have been in the process of disinheriting them at the time of the murder’s.
The Menendez perfect family image carefully crafted by Jose and Kitty quickly dissolved. The brothers seemed unaware of how they were perceived by others. Following the murders, they lavishly spent their parent’s fortune on luxury goods and property before their arrest in March (1990). Rand illustrated the difficulty the defense team had devising their strategy and a motive for the brother’s horrific crime. The public was wary of the “abuse excuse”-- were the brother’s villains or victims? The unfair character assassination of Jose and Kitty Menendez was taken to a level seldom seen by the public. Rand seems to follow this pattern as well, as this bias is indirectly exposed. The family photos featured in news articles, documentaries, and books about the case speak a thousand words for this couple unable to defend themselves.
There were several factors that played significant roles in the first trail: the fierceness that Leslie Abramson defended Erik Menendez, the sneaky unprofessional conduct of psychotherapist Leon J. Oziel and his mistress Judalon Smyth, the permission granted for the presence of Court TV. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. William Vicary spent over 50 hours interviewing the paranoid and suspicious Lyle Menendez, and avoided taking notes due to Lyles mistrust. Dr. Ann Burgess (University of Pennsylvania) professor of psychiatric nursing interviewed Erik for over 50 hours: she testified about the “neurobiology of fear” how adrenalin and stress hormones alter brain chemistry causing hyper-vigilance and the constant search for danger. These doctors were all in agreement over their case findings. It was particularly telling that Dominick Dunne (1925-2009), who was covering the trial for Vanity Fair, (his daughter had also been a murder victim) was taken aback by the tearful heart wrenching testimony the brothers gave of their alleged sexual abuse.
Whether or not readers agree with the author’s viewpoints, readers get an excellent narration of the Cuban heritage and family history, Lyle and Erik’s privileged upbringing with their true character and reckless irrational behaviors, the trial, the sensationalism of the media following, the attorney’s that defended and prosecuted, law enforcement and medical professionals, family members, friends and associates connected to the case and more. Nonetheless, readers can understand Jose and Kitty Menendez in a positive light -- what a brilliant, self-made ambitious successful businessman he was. Kitty was a socialite and former beauty queen when she married her handsome husband; life was good. Kitty became a homemaker and mother, which was customary for that time period. Despite family dysfunction, Jose and Kitty seemed devoted to one another and loved Lyle and Erik. The human condition never allows for a picture perfect life. Jose and Kitty Menendez did not deserve to succumb to such a violent and vicious ending. Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty of (conspiracy to commit) first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 2, 1996. ** With thanks and appreciation to BenBella Books Inc. via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
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March 30, 2024When the Menendez murders occurred, I was living in Southern California. I clearly remember the hit piece that the LA Times Magazine did on the brothers in advance of their trial, depicting them as rich boys who went on a bizarre spending spree once they'd murdered their parents. I also remember thinking that there was no way on earth that the brothers would get a fair trial. There was, during this time, a no-holds-barred circus atmosphere to what was going on around the brothers, and when the trial began and they revealed that they had been sexually abused by their father for years and emotionally, psychologically, mentally, and physically abused by their mother for years, I was among the people who thought how convenient a defense that was. I wasn't a dedicated follower of the trial. When the verdict came down, I was not surprised. But I was always interested in the Menendez brothers, and since that time I've put in a lot of hours reading, watching, and listening to their story. This book tells that story definitively, and it especially delves into the psychological ramifications of childhood trauma that, in the case of Erik Menendez, was still going on up until the time of his parents' death.
Full disclosure here: for a number of years now I have believed that enough is enough. These men (in their 50s now) have served more time than they would have had to serve had the truth about what occurred in their house come out at the time of their second trial, their first trial having resulted in two hung juries. But those who knew and witnessed the extent of the abuse endured by the boys were not allowed to testify, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Robert Rand's book takes the reader back in time, to Jose Menendez's childhood to show the development of sick individual who controlled everyone and every circumstance around him. It exposes the relationship between Jose and Kitty Menendez, and it demonstrates Kitty's inability or unwillingness to stop her husband when she knew he was sexually molesting his sons. So important was image to the Menendez parents that only through controlling their two boys through mental, physical, and psychological torment were they able to force them into producing the images that the parents demanded of them. It's an excruciating read, all of it supported by family members who knew what was going on and felt powerless to stop it, by psychologist who answer the oft-asked question "Why didn't the boys just leave?", by their friends, and by their lawyers.
Even if you've never heard of Erik and Lyle Menendez, I strongly recommend you read this book.
Full disclosure here: for a number of years now I have believed that enough is enough. These men (in their 50s now) have served more time than they would have had to serve had the truth about what occurred in their house come out at the time of their second trial, their first trial having resulted in two hung juries. But those who knew and witnessed the extent of the abuse endured by the boys were not allowed to testify, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Robert Rand's book takes the reader back in time, to Jose Menendez's childhood to show the development of sick individual who controlled everyone and every circumstance around him. It exposes the relationship between Jose and Kitty Menendez, and it demonstrates Kitty's inability or unwillingness to stop her husband when she knew he was sexually molesting his sons. So important was image to the Menendez parents that only through controlling their two boys through mental, physical, and psychological torment were they able to force them into producing the images that the parents demanded of them. It's an excruciating read, all of it supported by family members who knew what was going on and felt powerless to stop it, by psychologist who answer the oft-asked question "Why didn't the boys just leave?", by their friends, and by their lawyers.
Even if you've never heard of Erik and Lyle Menendez, I strongly recommend you read this book.
August 17, 2018
I just finished reading my advance review copy of Robert Rand's book, and I have to say, the courtroom scenes send me back 25 years. The dialogue is verbatim, and I can see the trial participants and hear their voices in my mind as I read. It's a great companion to my book -- the journalist's point of view vs. the juror's -- including explicit crime and testimony details, Menendez family Cuban history, and behind the scenes goings-on. It also foreshadows events yet to come in this never-ending story!
Robert Rand has covered the case from the beginning, and is the only journalist who attended both trials in their entirety. He interviewed Lyle and Erik before they were suspects, after they were arrested, and has spoken to them many times since. He earned the trust of the family, and interviewed hundreds of people connected with the case, including myself. We sat across the courtroom from one another during the first trial and saw all of the evidence first hand.
We are in agreement that the verdict should have been manslaughter, not murder, and that the second trial was a travesty of justice. Robert has spent the time required to understand this complicated case and present it in an unbiased, factual, compelling manner.
This book tells the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Hazel Thornton
Author of Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror
Robert Rand has covered the case from the beginning, and is the only journalist who attended both trials in their entirety. He interviewed Lyle and Erik before they were suspects, after they were arrested, and has spoken to them many times since. He earned the trust of the family, and interviewed hundreds of people connected with the case, including myself. We sat across the courtroom from one another during the first trial and saw all of the evidence first hand.
We are in agreement that the verdict should have been manslaughter, not murder, and that the second trial was a travesty of justice. Robert has spent the time required to understand this complicated case and present it in an unbiased, factual, compelling manner.
This book tells the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Hazel Thornton
Author of Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror
October 6, 2024
This is one of those cases that I often think about, and the injustice of it all. It makes me so so mad to see abuse victims behind bars, after they've served more than enough time for what they've done.
On top, they never got a fair trial and deserve a new one. I'm hoping with all my heart that with all the new information coming out, and all the people supporting Lyle and Erik, we can somehow make that happen.
If you're looking for a good source on not just the trials, but also everything that led up to Erik and Lyle killing their parents, including their family history & generational abuse then this is the book you should read.
If you've been reading up on the case, watching documentaries etc, then this could be a good refresher and you could learn a few new things that aren't mentioned elsewhere.
Anyway, I'm going to need Mr Rand to update this book soon, hopefully with some good news. Fingers crossed.
On top, they never got a fair trial and deserve a new one. I'm hoping with all my heart that with all the new information coming out, and all the people supporting Lyle and Erik, we can somehow make that happen.
If you're looking for a good source on not just the trials, but also everything that led up to Erik and Lyle killing their parents, including their family history & generational abuse then this is the book you should read.
If you've been reading up on the case, watching documentaries etc, then this could be a good refresher and you could learn a few new things that aren't mentioned elsewhere.
Anyway, I'm going to need Mr Rand to update this book soon, hopefully with some good news. Fingers crossed.
December 10, 2018
On a hot evening in Beverly Hills, California, many shots rang out. As Kitty and Jose Menendez spent a quiet night watching tv, suddenly, their two sons Lyle and Eric used recently- purchased guns to riddle their bodies with bullets. A 911 call was made and the voice at the end of the call sounded distraught, and it was difficult to ascertain what was said.
Months later, both sons were on trial for murdering their parents. A high-profile attorney, Leslie Abramson, agreed to defend Eric, likewise another very professional woman defended Lyle. Initially denying their involvement, soon Eric told his therapist of their guilt. The married therapist happened to have a girlfriend who told the police what she had heard while in the outside office. If not for this, the boys may have gotten away with the perfect crime.
On trial, the sons did not deny they purchased guns to kill their parents. In a time when it was difficult to believe that parents could willingly, intentionally harm their sons, on the witness stand, it was divulged that the multi-millionaire father sexually abused both of his children. The abuse was frequent and brutal. In addition, both brothers that the parents were capable and would indeed kill them.
A tough man who relentlessly pushed his sons to succeed, Jose expected nothing but the best from his children. Mediocracy was not an option. In fact was that the wife of Jose Menendez loved the rich lifestyle of a husband who brought home two million dollars a year as a movie executive, thus while she knew of the travesty of what happened behind closed doors, she looked the other way.
It was obvious she hated her children. She repeatedly told them this. They got in her life -- they ruined it! There was no love coming from their mother, and only horrible, painful violent sexual acts from their father followed by verbal abuse letting the children know they were failures.
The first trial resulted in a hung jury. The second trial was doomed for failure from the moment when the judge did not allow the mention of repeatedly sexual and emotional abuse . The boys, now men, were sentenced to life in prison.
Exceedingly well researched, the author systematically outlined abuse at the hands of a very driven, cold, caulous father. And while the author did not condone the use of guns to solve a problem, he did sympathize with the fact that money could never buy a stable home
I remember this trail was televised approximately at the same time of the O.J. Simpson trial. I also remember thinking that the defense attorney might be pulling a rabbit from a hat in claiming sexual abuse. After reading this book, I'm inclined to believe the sons.
Well written, riveting, informatively outlined, this is worth four/five stars.
Months later, both sons were on trial for murdering their parents. A high-profile attorney, Leslie Abramson, agreed to defend Eric, likewise another very professional woman defended Lyle. Initially denying their involvement, soon Eric told his therapist of their guilt. The married therapist happened to have a girlfriend who told the police what she had heard while in the outside office. If not for this, the boys may have gotten away with the perfect crime.
On trial, the sons did not deny they purchased guns to kill their parents. In a time when it was difficult to believe that parents could willingly, intentionally harm their sons, on the witness stand, it was divulged that the multi-millionaire father sexually abused both of his children. The abuse was frequent and brutal. In addition, both brothers that the parents were capable and would indeed kill them.
A tough man who relentlessly pushed his sons to succeed, Jose expected nothing but the best from his children. Mediocracy was not an option. In fact was that the wife of Jose Menendez loved the rich lifestyle of a husband who brought home two million dollars a year as a movie executive, thus while she knew of the travesty of what happened behind closed doors, she looked the other way.
It was obvious she hated her children. She repeatedly told them this. They got in her life -- they ruined it! There was no love coming from their mother, and only horrible, painful violent sexual acts from their father followed by verbal abuse letting the children know they were failures.
The first trial resulted in a hung jury. The second trial was doomed for failure from the moment when the judge did not allow the mention of repeatedly sexual and emotional abuse . The boys, now men, were sentenced to life in prison.
Exceedingly well researched, the author systematically outlined abuse at the hands of a very driven, cold, caulous father. And while the author did not condone the use of guns to solve a problem, he did sympathize with the fact that money could never buy a stable home
I remember this trail was televised approximately at the same time of the O.J. Simpson trial. I also remember thinking that the defense attorney might be pulling a rabbit from a hat in claiming sexual abuse. After reading this book, I'm inclined to believe the sons.
Well written, riveting, informatively outlined, this is worth four/five stars.
July 13, 2020
I ended up falling in the middle on this, not because it was bad by any stretch... there was just a level of obvious bias, and some things I was left wanting? Part of that, I'm not sure is anyone's fault, least of all Rand, who clearly dedicated a large chunk of his life to this case. It's fascinating to get the story from the POV of someone who were RIGHT THERE from the beginning. However, the reason he was right there is because he made connections with one of the Menendez sisters (Jose's sister) which gave him an "in" with them--but also that bias. Rand gets the majority of his information/connections to the family via said sister, who is 100% on the brothers' side and believes everything they say. It's also her now-deceased son who provides the "shocking new evidence" at the very end of the book, re: corroborating the sexual abuse allegations.
To Rand's credit, he provides enough of "both sides" for the reader to see past Rand's own beliefs, but his bias 100% colors the lens of the book. About half way through I realized where it was going and just took a deep sigh and forged on. While Rand does allow for the idea that one or both brothers are sociopaths, and that they may be lying about that night, regardless he's clear enough that his belief is they're telling the truth and all things can be explained by abuse.
Where I'm left unsatisfied on some level, and there's likely no way around it, no "perfect" witness/interview subject who could provide foolproof evidence, re: the depth of truth of the sexual abuse. I'm inclined to believe it, actually, but still suspicious of the fact that the corroborating parties also admit they're willing to lie to protect Eric and Lyle. It's really difficult too that for dramatic effect Rand holds the letter from Eric to the cousin until the VERY END of the book that allegedly proves it! The cousin has been dead for like 20 years so you can't get any affidavit of it's legitimacy.
Regardless: doesn't matter whether it's true or not. They admit they killed them... the question is why, the question is how, and level of premeditation. And to me it's clear the boys are 100% lying about the level of premeditation and sociopathy, and it was difficult reading at times b/c Rand clearly doesn't care about that--he focuses on other things. I was still able to get an interesting picture of the whole thing but it left me wanting? That said the brief flashes of Lyle being just straight up COLD and honest were pretty great. The passage where he reflects on OJ was gold. It's all an interesting slice of late 80s/early 90s true crime... and really the whole family was sociopathically awful.
To Rand's credit, he provides enough of "both sides" for the reader to see past Rand's own beliefs, but his bias 100% colors the lens of the book. About half way through I realized where it was going and just took a deep sigh and forged on. While Rand does allow for the idea that one or both brothers are sociopaths, and that they may be lying about that night, regardless he's clear enough that his belief is they're telling the truth and all things can be explained by abuse.
Where I'm left unsatisfied on some level, and there's likely no way around it, no "perfect" witness/interview subject who could provide foolproof evidence, re: the depth of truth of the sexual abuse. I'm inclined to believe it, actually, but still suspicious of the fact that the corroborating parties also admit they're willing to lie to protect Eric and Lyle. It's really difficult too that for dramatic effect Rand holds the letter from Eric to the cousin until the VERY END of the book that allegedly proves it! The cousin has been dead for like 20 years so you can't get any affidavit of it's legitimacy.
Regardless: doesn't matter whether it's true or not. They admit they killed them... the question is why, the question is how, and level of premeditation. And to me it's clear the boys are 100% lying about the level of premeditation and sociopathy, and it was difficult reading at times b/c Rand clearly doesn't care about that--he focuses on other things. I was still able to get an interesting picture of the whole thing but it left me wanting? That said the brief flashes of Lyle being just straight up COLD and honest were pretty great. The passage where he reflects on OJ was gold. It's all an interesting slice of late 80s/early 90s true crime... and really the whole family was sociopathically awful.
October 14, 2024
The Menendez case has been in the news a lot lately. Given that I work with adult and child survivors of abuse, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the story since, when I was younger back at the time the trial was taking place, I only heard sensationalized accounts that fully dismissed the idea that the brothers could have been sexually abused. It was like the zeitgeist was simply unwilling/unable to reconcile that they could have been rich AND male AND also abuse survivors. This was in keeping with how survivors of sexual harassment or assault, or domestic/family violence, or mental illness - etc. etc. - were all treated horrendously in that era, replete with victim-blaming, denial, rationalization, and minimization. Not that we are all enlightened angels now, but still - I like to think there has been a modicum of progress.
I feel that Rand’s book was ahead of its time in its effort to report on the case thoroughly, objectively, responsibly, and with as little sensationalizing as possible given the inherent shockingness of the case. This was a pleasant surprise, as I was fully expecting tabloid journalism. This book was well worth reading for its account of the actual facts of the case as well as the way the case fared within the constraints of the legal system, media, and popular culture of the time.
Obviously, violence is never okay, or the answer. However, this case is another great reminder that multiple things can be true at once and that human and family lives and relationships are incredibly complex, as well as that sexual and family/domestic violence and abuse occur across the full range of household circumstances and it is always important to listen to and believe survivors.
I feel that Rand’s book was ahead of its time in its effort to report on the case thoroughly, objectively, responsibly, and with as little sensationalizing as possible given the inherent shockingness of the case. This was a pleasant surprise, as I was fully expecting tabloid journalism. This book was well worth reading for its account of the actual facts of the case as well as the way the case fared within the constraints of the legal system, media, and popular culture of the time.
Obviously, violence is never okay, or the answer. However, this case is another great reminder that multiple things can be true at once and that human and family lives and relationships are incredibly complex, as well as that sexual and family/domestic violence and abuse occur across the full range of household circumstances and it is always important to listen to and believe survivors.
August 27, 2018
This is the book to read if you are looking for a comprehensive book on the Menendez killings.
Jose and Kitty Menendez were horrifically slaughtered on August 21, 1989. The investigation into the deaths dragged on for months without any leads. Was it a mafia hit? Had Jose's difficult personality caused him to become a target of someone he had business dealings with? The case was running cold when detectives suddenly arrested Lyle and Erik Menendez, the 21 and 18 year old sons of Jose and Kitty. Suddenly, the case was everywhere. The question on everyone's minds--what would induce two young men, who seemingly had everything, to murder their parents in cold blood?
Bob Rand was a journalist in LA who covered the case from the very start. He has interviewed Lyle and Erik numerous times, including well before they became suspects in the case. The public couldn't get enough of these golden boys, and once their case eventually went to trial, Rand was there daily to watch the proceedings unfold.
True crime can get stale sometimes due to the monotony of the rehashing of the trial. It's the same old formula every time--opening arguments, prosecution's case, defense's case, closing arguments, jury deliberations, verdict(s).I can't tell you how often my eyes glaze over when I read about yet another trial. The Menendez Murders was different though. You have one trial with two juries, a defense attorney that's unafraid to open her mouth and is whip smart (Leslie Abramson, counsel for Erik), two hung juries, and quite a few other procedural and trial circumstances that you very rarely see.
I went into this knowing very little about the Menendez brothers, and came out of this book with VERY strong opinions about the case and the final results. I have since fallen down a rabbit hole where I find myself searching for trial bits on YouTube and seeking out podcasts relating to this case (I HIGHLY recommend Getting Off With Jessa & Nick. They have done a handful of episodes on the Menendez case.)
Jose and Kitty Menendez were horrifically slaughtered on August 21, 1989. The investigation into the deaths dragged on for months without any leads. Was it a mafia hit? Had Jose's difficult personality caused him to become a target of someone he had business dealings with? The case was running cold when detectives suddenly arrested Lyle and Erik Menendez, the 21 and 18 year old sons of Jose and Kitty. Suddenly, the case was everywhere. The question on everyone's minds--what would induce two young men, who seemingly had everything, to murder their parents in cold blood?
Bob Rand was a journalist in LA who covered the case from the very start. He has interviewed Lyle and Erik numerous times, including well before they became suspects in the case. The public couldn't get enough of these golden boys, and once their case eventually went to trial, Rand was there daily to watch the proceedings unfold.
True crime can get stale sometimes due to the monotony of the rehashing of the trial. It's the same old formula every time--opening arguments, prosecution's case, defense's case, closing arguments, jury deliberations, verdict(s).I can't tell you how often my eyes glaze over when I read about yet another trial. The Menendez Murders was different though. You have one trial with two juries, a defense attorney that's unafraid to open her mouth and is whip smart (Leslie Abramson, counsel for Erik), two hung juries, and quite a few other procedural and trial circumstances that you very rarely see.
I went into this knowing very little about the Menendez brothers, and came out of this book with VERY strong opinions about the case and the final results. I have since fallen down a rabbit hole where I find myself searching for trial bits on YouTube and seeking out podcasts relating to this case (I HIGHLY recommend Getting Off With Jessa & Nick. They have done a handful of episodes on the Menendez case.)
August 19, 2018
Thank you Net Gallery and BenBella Publishing for this read.
I am very impressed by the writing and blown away by the court proceedings. I truly felt like the Author was on the brothers side. No doubt they did it. No I don't believe the sexual abuse which this book focused a lot on, a little too much. I did not know all this time what the father did for a living, thought he was in real estate. That's a shame these two brothers committed this crime, no matter what their parents did and didn't do to them, couldn't they just move? They were of legal age..MOVE, say bye bye...get a job..be like normal people. They complain about prison life...hello you savagely, coldly murdered your parents. Enjoy prison. How is your lives now? Better than before? I hope they never get out.
thanks again for the advanced copy of The Menendez Murders by Robert Rand. This book will be published September 4th 2018. May their parents rest in peace.
Cherie'
I am very impressed by the writing and blown away by the court proceedings. I truly felt like the Author was on the brothers side. No doubt they did it. No I don't believe the sexual abuse which this book focused a lot on, a little too much. I did not know all this time what the father did for a living, thought he was in real estate. That's a shame these two brothers committed this crime, no matter what their parents did and didn't do to them, couldn't they just move? They were of legal age..MOVE, say bye bye...get a job..be like normal people. They complain about prison life...hello you savagely, coldly murdered your parents. Enjoy prison. How is your lives now? Better than before? I hope they never get out.
thanks again for the advanced copy of The Menendez Murders by Robert Rand. This book will be published September 4th 2018. May their parents rest in peace.
Cherie'
July 9, 2021
I think the author showed this was premeditated murder.
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, bought rifles a few
days before the crime & planned to kill dad. They had to
decide: would they kill mom too?
Per the author--
1) Jose and Kitty, the parents, had poor personal boundaries.
Jose emotionally, physically and sexually abused his sons.
Kitty was addicted to alcohol and Valium & prone to rages.
And kicking & humiliating her sons. Dad favored Lyle and
mom, Erik, who had a learning disability, dyslexia. Mom
helped teen Erik wash his hair while in the bathtub &
asked him to fondle her. Both parents wrote term papers
for their sons.
2) The Menendez family seemed mixed up mentally beyond
repair. Jose especially put extreme pressure on his sons to
excel at school & sports: tennis. And to be perfect. Jose used
ancient Roman & Greek soldiers as his rationale, but he
subjected his sons to incest.
3) the defense strategy- the brothers thought they were in
danger b/c dad or mom would shoot them over their threat
of revealing family secrets.
The author tended to repeat himself. Comparing accounts
might determine consistency or lack there of. Perhaps in
future, the author could summarize the police report, court
testimony, & versions of events etc. to cut down on repetition.
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, bought rifles a few
days before the crime & planned to kill dad. They had to
decide: would they kill mom too?
Per the author--
1) Jose and Kitty, the parents, had poor personal boundaries.
Jose emotionally, physically and sexually abused his sons.
Kitty was addicted to alcohol and Valium & prone to rages.
And kicking & humiliating her sons. Dad favored Lyle and
mom, Erik, who had a learning disability, dyslexia. Mom
helped teen Erik wash his hair while in the bathtub &
asked him to fondle her. Both parents wrote term papers
for their sons.
2) The Menendez family seemed mixed up mentally beyond
repair. Jose especially put extreme pressure on his sons to
excel at school & sports: tennis. And to be perfect. Jose used
ancient Roman & Greek soldiers as his rationale, but he
subjected his sons to incest.
3) the defense strategy- the brothers thought they were in
danger b/c dad or mom would shoot them over their threat
of revealing family secrets.
The author tended to repeat himself. Comparing accounts
might determine consistency or lack there of. Perhaps in
future, the author could summarize the police report, court
testimony, & versions of events etc. to cut down on repetition.
November 23, 2024
This is disgusting
I totally believe them. Page after page it just gets worse. With their hearing coming up soon I recommend reading this. Whatever happens so much more will make sense, plus your opinions may change.
I totally believe them. Page after page it just gets worse. With their hearing coming up soon I recommend reading this. Whatever happens so much more will make sense, plus your opinions may change.
November 28, 2021
Riveting, in-depth, unputdownable book! I have never read a nonfiction book so fast. I was shaken, saddened, destroyed throughout the chronicles. Truly magnificent, humane writing. These men have been incarcerated the same amount of years I've been alive and having read everything here, I think by now, that's entirely excessive. Growing up I never once heard of this case. It wasn't until I watched that Lifetime movie (Menendez: Blood Brothers) based on the case dubbed in Spanish on Unimas one night I couldn't sleep that I first learned of this case and immediately wanted to know more and found the rec for this book on Twitter. Having read it all, I undoubtedly believe the Menendez brothers's allegations of childhood emotional, physical and sexual abuse against Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Now is that sufficient justification for the horror they did? Unfortunately no. In my heart, I wish they had never done what they did. Killing their progenitors still gave those monsters the final abusive victory over their abused children. Lyle and Erik never won. They were never free. Which is what I find curious like it is almost annoying how they really had no motive to kill their parents right then. Yeah, so folks think it was out of greed, and yeah they bought stuff and spent so much, but, they weren't elated about it. There was no sense of celebratory freedom...No one ever says they looked exceptionally HAPPY like really, really EXCITED in a new way or in a way that was uncharacteristic of them when they were shopping or going around here and there. They were just cold and devoid and they apparently had always been like that because again of the childhood abuse. But honestly, they will just never admit it, but I think they really did it because they hated their parents in that moment, and simply wanted them out of their lives but keep everything just the same because that's the life they'd always known and like what rich person wants to give up their status? PLS look how they fight over their fucking taxes. And there might be something about them fearing for their lives but I think that fear pushed itself to turn into full blown contempt. Like deep down, they couldn't believe that after all the abuse and loathing their parents had subjected them to, they were honestly going to kill them to top it all off. And so they hated them with a newborn hatred they only nourished while they killed Kitty and Jose. Once they died, so did the hatred. Or maybe this is the one lie they've kept telling everyone and to themselves. Of course, at court saying you hate your parents isn't smart, but after years of continuous abuse, developing disdain to them wouldn't be that weird. Like, it's understandable. Hating your abusers is valid.
What I find telling about Kitty and Jose's family though, is that, they are the victims of a crime, they were murdered by their own kids (!!) but the family still staunchly supported the killers. And like it's not that it's because they are their nephews or even because they were super religious and wanted to forgive the killers because that's what Jesus would do—they really didn't give a fuck about Jose and Kitty (my perception throughout my reading). It's almost like their early deaths were a relief for the whole family. It was as if they had spent a lifetime holding their breaths and when Jose died, they could finally breathe. Imagine how shitty you have to be that people would be relieved you're gone forever and side with those who murdered you, like yikes. (Kitty's brothers were apparently (?) the only ones who turned against Lyle and Erik years later, but, God forgive me, conveniently by the time the Menendez estate had gone bankrupt and no money would go to anyone else (?)) Like when Terry Baralt and Marta Cano had to say things they liked about their brother and sister-in-law they didn't say nice things about their character—they just coldly listed things they did. This, plus other testimony that I find truthful, proved to me they were truly hateful people, no one can deny it. But being hateful isn't a reason to be murdered anyone...unless?
Everyone was, and I guess still are stuck, not understanding why the brothers would kill Kitty but the book makes it clear she was a mess, who never did anything to protect defenseless children when she could, who always agreed, and was obsessed with José to the point she felt jealous of her own sons for sharing him with them, because he gave them too much attention. Though there was a moment I didn't agree with how it was making her more of a villain for what she said about having wished her kids had never been born and how she was never ready to be a mom. That was not the problem here. If only she had neglected her kids, but she actively sought out to physically and sexually abuse them plus the emotional abuse...these men never had a chance to thrive under the conditions they lived in.
At one point though, I thought the author was going a little overboard with the legacy of childhood sexual abuse in the Menendez and Andersen families. Okay I mean, it's possible Kitty might have been molested as a girl (maybe by one of the brothers and that's why they didn't want to believe their nephews?) but that's just speculating right now and trying to find a meaning for why she abused and allowed abuse to happen to her sons, and honestly, I kinda not agree. She already provided enough proof of her trauma—emotional incest by her mom, abandonment by her dad, and possibly having never really wanted to have kids because of all that but cajoled to do it by the abusive overbearing Jose and agreed because it was an ardent desire to please the man she was obsessed with. I think what she was likely dealing with was borderline personality disorder and maybe bipolar disorder too. Abused people are abusive too sometimes but I don't think Kitty was. Maria Menendez's strange fixation and “games” with Jose account by Marta Cano was weird though and sounds a little more plausible.
Despite all this I do think Lyle might be a sociopath but obviously that stemmed from the relentless torrent of emotinal, physical and sexual abuse he experienced as a boy. It's Erik who really breaks my heart because is really the one all-around victim of the Menendez family. I think he was okay with murdering his parents and mostly agreed to everything because that's what Lyle wanted and Erik truly idolized his brother, clung to him because he felt he was the only thing he had. But the guilt fought and took over. He really regretted what he did. However, when I began reading this I got the impression—and then it's a repeated point in the story—that the cops and prosecution were vindictive with Lyle and Erik because they made them look like fools even when the crime wasn't even that well-thought out. The media circus (fueled by the latent racism and prejudice of a mocking white supremacist Anglo eye) the problematic and biased prosecutors who brought homophobia and misunderstanding of psychological abuse and mental illness and prejudice of it didn't help at all.
People focus so much on the crime and being atop their pedestal and wanting to “righteously” condemn them as murderers (which they are, duh, ok) but like the point of these books is to see the why, the behind of what lead them to that horrible conclusion. The way Kitty was with the kids, the way Jose was, independently of the CSA, was a cocktail of unchecked mental health problems passed down generation to generation. Broken homes, emotional incest (Kitty and her mom), forced migration trauma; all this accumulated over the years and unleashed on Lyle and Erik. Saying all this doesn't mean murder suddenly becomes justifiable but it's a bunch of things that can't be ignored, especially now that we are more aware of how these things affect brain structure and personality.
Though I do agree with the author's conclusion that with the rise of social media, the MeToo movement (not mentioned here but it happened while this book was being published), compassion and belief in abuse survivors, and our increasing understanding of mental illness, and awareness of CSA, the Menendez trials would not have been an atrocious circus, other problems would have still risen in a case like this now. Their social status—being rich, privileged white men—would have still worked against them. Particularly now when “eating the rich” is both a meme and a social movement rallying cry. It would be a real hot take (it is) to support a pair of rich young men who offed their parents. I don't think people will ever let all the evidence in this case soak in and realize that even rich homes can be broken homes and that the level of callousness and sociopathy the rich sometimes display could have a deeper, and sadly, far too common origin.
I don't know if Lyle and Erik Menendez are better off in prison. My heart aches because part of me thinks, that at least Erik thinks, he is better off in there. But honestly, I think they've paid enough. And their trials were full of strange happenings, evidence, and bias. Perhaps they'd be found guilty again but I do think that a retrial without the homophobia and sneering by prosecutors should happen. And if not that, a pardon should be contemplated. What they seriously need is psychiatric help.
Now is that sufficient justification for the horror they did? Unfortunately no. In my heart, I wish they had never done what they did. Killing their progenitors still gave those monsters the final abusive victory over their abused children. Lyle and Erik never won. They were never free. Which is what I find curious like it is almost annoying how they really had no motive to kill their parents right then. Yeah, so folks think it was out of greed, and yeah they bought stuff and spent so much, but, they weren't elated about it. There was no sense of celebratory freedom...No one ever says they looked exceptionally HAPPY like really, really EXCITED in a new way or in a way that was uncharacteristic of them when they were shopping or going around here and there. They were just cold and devoid and they apparently had always been like that because again of the childhood abuse. But honestly, they will just never admit it, but I think they really did it because they hated their parents in that moment, and simply wanted them out of their lives but keep everything just the same because that's the life they'd always known and like what rich person wants to give up their status? PLS look how they fight over their fucking taxes. And there might be something about them fearing for their lives but I think that fear pushed itself to turn into full blown contempt. Like deep down, they couldn't believe that after all the abuse and loathing their parents had subjected them to, they were honestly going to kill them to top it all off. And so they hated them with a newborn hatred they only nourished while they killed Kitty and Jose. Once they died, so did the hatred. Or maybe this is the one lie they've kept telling everyone and to themselves. Of course, at court saying you hate your parents isn't smart, but after years of continuous abuse, developing disdain to them wouldn't be that weird. Like, it's understandable. Hating your abusers is valid.
What I find telling about Kitty and Jose's family though, is that, they are the victims of a crime, they were murdered by their own kids (!!) but the family still staunchly supported the killers. And like it's not that it's because they are their nephews or even because they were super religious and wanted to forgive the killers because that's what Jesus would do—they really didn't give a fuck about Jose and Kitty (my perception throughout my reading). It's almost like their early deaths were a relief for the whole family. It was as if they had spent a lifetime holding their breaths and when Jose died, they could finally breathe. Imagine how shitty you have to be that people would be relieved you're gone forever and side with those who murdered you, like yikes. (Kitty's brothers were apparently (?) the only ones who turned against Lyle and Erik years later, but, God forgive me, conveniently by the time the Menendez estate had gone bankrupt and no money would go to anyone else (?)) Like when Terry Baralt and Marta Cano had to say things they liked about their brother and sister-in-law they didn't say nice things about their character—they just coldly listed things they did. This, plus other testimony that I find truthful, proved to me they were truly hateful people, no one can deny it. But being hateful isn't a reason to be murdered anyone...unless?
Everyone was, and I guess still are stuck, not understanding why the brothers would kill Kitty but the book makes it clear she was a mess, who never did anything to protect defenseless children when she could, who always agreed, and was obsessed with José to the point she felt jealous of her own sons for sharing him with them, because he gave them too much attention. Though there was a moment I didn't agree with how it was making her more of a villain for what she said about having wished her kids had never been born and how she was never ready to be a mom. That was not the problem here. If only she had neglected her kids, but she actively sought out to physically and sexually abuse them plus the emotional abuse...these men never had a chance to thrive under the conditions they lived in.
At one point though, I thought the author was going a little overboard with the legacy of childhood sexual abuse in the Menendez and Andersen families. Okay I mean, it's possible Kitty might have been molested as a girl (maybe by one of the brothers and that's why they didn't want to believe their nephews?) but that's just speculating right now and trying to find a meaning for why she abused and allowed abuse to happen to her sons, and honestly, I kinda not agree. She already provided enough proof of her trauma—emotional incest by her mom, abandonment by her dad, and possibly having never really wanted to have kids because of all that but cajoled to do it by the abusive overbearing Jose and agreed because it was an ardent desire to please the man she was obsessed with. I think what she was likely dealing with was borderline personality disorder and maybe bipolar disorder too. Abused people are abusive too sometimes but I don't think Kitty was. Maria Menendez's strange fixation and “games” with Jose account by Marta Cano was weird though and sounds a little more plausible.
Despite all this I do think Lyle might be a sociopath but obviously that stemmed from the relentless torrent of emotinal, physical and sexual abuse he experienced as a boy. It's Erik who really breaks my heart because is really the one all-around victim of the Menendez family. I think he was okay with murdering his parents and mostly agreed to everything because that's what Lyle wanted and Erik truly idolized his brother, clung to him because he felt he was the only thing he had. But the guilt fought and took over. He really regretted what he did. However, when I began reading this I got the impression—and then it's a repeated point in the story—that the cops and prosecution were vindictive with Lyle and Erik because they made them look like fools even when the crime wasn't even that well-thought out. The media circus (fueled by the latent racism and prejudice of a mocking white supremacist Anglo eye) the problematic and biased prosecutors who brought homophobia and misunderstanding of psychological abuse and mental illness and prejudice of it didn't help at all.
People focus so much on the crime and being atop their pedestal and wanting to “righteously” condemn them as murderers (which they are, duh, ok) but like the point of these books is to see the why, the behind of what lead them to that horrible conclusion. The way Kitty was with the kids, the way Jose was, independently of the CSA, was a cocktail of unchecked mental health problems passed down generation to generation. Broken homes, emotional incest (Kitty and her mom), forced migration trauma; all this accumulated over the years and unleashed on Lyle and Erik. Saying all this doesn't mean murder suddenly becomes justifiable but it's a bunch of things that can't be ignored, especially now that we are more aware of how these things affect brain structure and personality.
Though I do agree with the author's conclusion that with the rise of social media, the MeToo movement (not mentioned here but it happened while this book was being published), compassion and belief in abuse survivors, and our increasing understanding of mental illness, and awareness of CSA, the Menendez trials would not have been an atrocious circus, other problems would have still risen in a case like this now. Their social status—being rich, privileged white men—would have still worked against them. Particularly now when “eating the rich” is both a meme and a social movement rallying cry. It would be a real hot take (it is) to support a pair of rich young men who offed their parents. I don't think people will ever let all the evidence in this case soak in and realize that even rich homes can be broken homes and that the level of callousness and sociopathy the rich sometimes display could have a deeper, and sadly, far too common origin.
I don't know if Lyle and Erik Menendez are better off in prison. My heart aches because part of me thinks, that at least Erik thinks, he is better off in there. But honestly, I think they've paid enough. And their trials were full of strange happenings, evidence, and bias. Perhaps they'd be found guilty again but I do think that a retrial without the homophobia and sneering by prosecutors should happen. And if not that, a pardon should be contemplated. What they seriously need is psychiatric help.
August 15, 2018
When I first heard about the Menendez murders in the late 80's, I thought wow that's horrible, to kill your own parents for their money. That was 30 yrs ago. I've read hundreds of non-fiction crime novels over the years and I knew there were books about this story but I wasn't the least bit interested in reading any because, well, what's to tell? They did it, they admitted they did it & reading about it would sound like regurgitation of the news ... or so I thought.
Then, author Robert Rand came along and totally changed my mind about reading the story. I too wondered, "but why?" Rand did a fantastic job of not only giving both sides of the story (the defense & prosecution sides) he took a convoluted & confusing tale & created a contiguous, precise & comprehensible account of the truth.
In reading some of the juror's feedback, I thought how could they not realize that a child, if brought up only knowing love & acceptance in their home & more importantly, nothing of dysfunction; how can they believe that child would grow up unaffected by their environment. (Since there was no love & acceptance.) The jury couldn't possibly understand the mindset of someone whose entire life was one of dysfunction; and they (jury) were blinded by the wealth, which cancelled out the dysfunction. As though having wealth means by definition, the ability to adapt, no matter what the emotional/physical behavior of the parents. And because they couldn't wrap their minds around the very simple "walk in my shoes" empathetic principle, they missed the obvious, in my opinion. The question of why and even having been given the answer directly "out of the mouth of babes*" chose to ignore it, out of disbelief that wealth prevents the disease.
The last bit of evidence, provided at the end by Rand, after reading the letters (I won't go into detail here) is nearly heart breaking. The whole justice system is skewed; the influence of the Rodney King trial & the O.J. Simpson trial, all had an impact on the outcome of the second Menendez trail, and that's unfortunate and so wrong. I'm not saying these two shouldn't have been punished for what they did, but I'd say they've been overly punished, wouldn't you? Just because one can't conceive of a particular horror, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Didn't mean for this to be so long winded, but I've never been so dismayed, but that's what the author accomplished. Great book!
(*I said "out of the mouth of babes" due to their stunted emotional growth.)
Thanks to netgalley for providing this book for my review.
Then, author Robert Rand came along and totally changed my mind about reading the story. I too wondered, "but why?" Rand did a fantastic job of not only giving both sides of the story (the defense & prosecution sides) he took a convoluted & confusing tale & created a contiguous, precise & comprehensible account of the truth.
In reading some of the juror's feedback, I thought how could they not realize that a child, if brought up only knowing love & acceptance in their home & more importantly, nothing of dysfunction; how can they believe that child would grow up unaffected by their environment. (Since there was no love & acceptance.) The jury couldn't possibly understand the mindset of someone whose entire life was one of dysfunction; and they (jury) were blinded by the wealth, which cancelled out the dysfunction. As though having wealth means by definition, the ability to adapt, no matter what the emotional/physical behavior of the parents. And because they couldn't wrap their minds around the very simple "walk in my shoes" empathetic principle, they missed the obvious, in my opinion. The question of why and even having been given the answer directly "out of the mouth of babes*" chose to ignore it, out of disbelief that wealth prevents the disease.
The last bit of evidence, provided at the end by Rand, after reading the letters (I won't go into detail here) is nearly heart breaking. The whole justice system is skewed; the influence of the Rodney King trial & the O.J. Simpson trial, all had an impact on the outcome of the second Menendez trail, and that's unfortunate and so wrong. I'm not saying these two shouldn't have been punished for what they did, but I'd say they've been overly punished, wouldn't you? Just because one can't conceive of a particular horror, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Didn't mean for this to be so long winded, but I've never been so dismayed, but that's what the author accomplished. Great book!
(*I said "out of the mouth of babes" due to their stunted emotional growth.)
Thanks to netgalley for providing this book for my review.
April 6, 2022
Unfortunately I couldn't finish this book. It came across like more of a listing of facts than a true crime story.
I understand that it is non-fiction but it just didn't seem to have a flow at all.
I understand that it is non-fiction but it just didn't seem to have a flow at all.
February 26, 2019
I recommend to my fellow true crime buffs. What a sad story and if you believe Lyle and Erik (which I tend to believe them) this is a tragedy second only to a Shakespeare play.
October 10, 2024
my oh my. This was an interesting read.
May 1, 2022
I fell down the rabbit hole of Johnny depp and Amber Heard videos when i happend to come across a recommendation from these two boys. ( Don't judge my algorithm it's doing a perfect job ) I didn't bother checking it out because it was a three hour Videoand i had no idea what it was about. Few days later I watched a few shorts from Erik explaining why he ate so much lemon. I found it weird at first until the end of the video that it hit me.
I almost jumped out of my seat screaming :Oh my god!
Quick summary of what he said was: i usually put lemon first because it helps my lose my taste, i did it fora specific readon but it didn't quite work.
Judge: what specific reason?
Erik: so I wouldn't have to taste my... Taste my father's...
Judge: ok.
He talked about putting cinnamon in his father's foods or drinks because he thought "it" would taste better.
And i was sitting there my phone in my hands shaking, thinking: He deserved to be killed. He was a monster.
So you get why i ended up watchig five or six hours of erik and lyle talking about how awful their parents were. I mean it still blows my mind, how can a father or mother, a human do such a thing to another human being. It's such a bizzare story that it keeps me awake at nights sometimes.
After 5 or 6 days of watchig documentaries about them i decided to take a look at books about them and honestly I'm happy i did.
I didn't agree or liked all of the Arthur's opinions through out some part of the story but overall i appreciate that he tried to maintain (at least most of the time) loyal to the story.
He did a good job.
I almost jumped out of my seat screaming :Oh my god!
Quick summary of what he said was: i usually put lemon first because it helps my lose my taste, i did it fora specific readon but it didn't quite work.
Judge: what specific reason?
Erik: so I wouldn't have to taste my... Taste my father's...
Judge: ok.
He talked about putting cinnamon in his father's foods or drinks because he thought "it" would taste better.
And i was sitting there my phone in my hands shaking, thinking: He deserved to be killed. He was a monster.
So you get why i ended up watchig five or six hours of erik and lyle talking about how awful their parents were. I mean it still blows my mind, how can a father or mother, a human do such a thing to another human being. It's such a bizzare story that it keeps me awake at nights sometimes.
After 5 or 6 days of watchig documentaries about them i decided to take a look at books about them and honestly I'm happy i did.
I didn't agree or liked all of the Arthur's opinions through out some part of the story but overall i appreciate that he tried to maintain (at least most of the time) loyal to the story.
He did a good job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
Like many others in recent months, the Menendez case has caught my attention. I knew very little about Erik and Lyle, or the murders, until stumbling across passionate discussions in social media. Out of curiosity, I picked up Robert Rand's The Menendez Murders. The author expertly presents information surround the events of the case and the court trials in an accessible way. The first half captured my attention and drew me in, I could hardly put it down. But as we got deeper into the story, the more I felt the pacing dragged. It was in the last part when I noticed myself skimming chapter, rushing to get to the end due to the fact I felt exhausted.
Personally, I am inclined to believe the brother's testimony of sexual abuse were true. I truly believe, due to the testimony provided in the first trial and Menudo's recent allegations, that Jose Menendez was a monster. I appreciate Rand introducing me to this case and educating me.
Personally, I am inclined to believe the brother's testimony of sexual abuse were true. I truly believe, due to the testimony provided in the first trial and Menudo's recent allegations, that Jose Menendez was a monster. I appreciate Rand introducing me to this case and educating me.
October 15, 2024
it’s crazy that the defense’s closing statement was just speculating that they thought Erik was probably gay?? and that’s why everything went down?? like it’s so blatantly homophobic and I can’t believe that was EVER okay.
I basically agree with everything Rand said in his personal opinion in the last chapter. when mitigating circumstances are present when a crime is committed they should be considered and manslaughter would be a more “just” charge than 1st degree murder.
I basically agree with everything Rand said in his personal opinion in the last chapter. when mitigating circumstances are present when a crime is committed they should be considered and manslaughter would be a more “just” charge than 1st degree murder.
April 12, 2022
One of the best true crime non fiction reads, ever. And I read a lot of em. I learned so much. Lyle and Erik Menendez deserve another chance.
April 3, 2025
The story is recanted in chronological order in such specific detail that leaves its readers feeling tense and morose as they entertain the notion that perhaps these brothers had no other choice but to resort to murder given their circumstances.
Although we do not live in a vigilante society, at what point and to what extent should we be allowed to seek justice after such horrific abuse?
This is an insightful, relevant read given that the Menendez Brothers perhaps have a chance of getting their freedom in the near future.
Although we do not live in a vigilante society, at what point and to what extent should we be allowed to seek justice after such horrific abuse?
This is an insightful, relevant read given that the Menendez Brothers perhaps have a chance of getting their freedom in the near future.
April 3, 2025
Rob Rand is a great journalist and I felt the portrayal of the case was more than fair. The only thing I didn't like is the frequency with which Rob used "He/she pounced".
September 3, 2018
If you want a comprehensive book on the Menendez murders, your wait is over! I just read The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings that Stunned the Nation by Robert Rand (thanks to BenBella Books and NetGalley) and now I know way more about this case than I did before, even though I watched every episode of NBC’s series Law and Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders.
Jose and Kitty Menendez were a classic “new money” Southern California couple in the 1980s, where Jose was a very successful businessman in the entertainment industry married to a former beauty queen, living the life of a multimillionaire family in Bel Air with their two sons. In 1989 they were murdered in what looked to police initially like a burglary gone wrong. Months later, they had no solid leads, but several theories were swirling around (including possibly a mafia hit or a revenge killing by a businessperson who felt wronged).
The case exploded into the national news when Lyle and Erik, the 21 and 18 year old sons were arrested. As the story unfolded, it was covered in depth by many journalists including Robert Rand, who covered the case from the beginning. He interviewed Lyle and Erik many times, both before and after they were arrested. Initially seen as classic “golden boys” who had been tragically orphaned, they were later viewed as confessed killers who were tried in one courtroom with two separate juries. Erik’s attorney, Lesley Abramson, was a flashy woman whose personality magnified the attention to the trial(s), which resulted in hung juries…it just went on and on. So, once the defense presented their justification of years of abuse and sexual abuse, the addition of sex crimes to wealth and murder results in a true crime trifecta!
Rand’s work was the primary source for the NBC series, and this book gives possibly more than a reader may want or need to know about this case. It has everything (even an appearance by O.J.Simpson!) and seems to now be the definitive work on this fascinating case. It is highly recommended for fans of true crime, and I give it five stars for being an incredibly entertaining and well-written true crime book (Rand is a true journalist).
Jose and Kitty Menendez were a classic “new money” Southern California couple in the 1980s, where Jose was a very successful businessman in the entertainment industry married to a former beauty queen, living the life of a multimillionaire family in Bel Air with their two sons. In 1989 they were murdered in what looked to police initially like a burglary gone wrong. Months later, they had no solid leads, but several theories were swirling around (including possibly a mafia hit or a revenge killing by a businessperson who felt wronged).
The case exploded into the national news when Lyle and Erik, the 21 and 18 year old sons were arrested. As the story unfolded, it was covered in depth by many journalists including Robert Rand, who covered the case from the beginning. He interviewed Lyle and Erik many times, both before and after they were arrested. Initially seen as classic “golden boys” who had been tragically orphaned, they were later viewed as confessed killers who were tried in one courtroom with two separate juries. Erik’s attorney, Lesley Abramson, was a flashy woman whose personality magnified the attention to the trial(s), which resulted in hung juries…it just went on and on. So, once the defense presented their justification of years of abuse and sexual abuse, the addition of sex crimes to wealth and murder results in a true crime trifecta!
Rand’s work was the primary source for the NBC series, and this book gives possibly more than a reader may want or need to know about this case. It has everything (even an appearance by O.J.Simpson!) and seems to now be the definitive work on this fascinating case. It is highly recommended for fans of true crime, and I give it five stars for being an incredibly entertaining and well-written true crime book (Rand is a true journalist).
December 22, 2019
This is the second book I have read on this trial/crime and it took me a great while to get through. Parts of this book made me very mad and so I honestly had to stop for awhile and cool down! The parts that caused this rise of emotion was the improper handling of information via the boys psychiatrist and his very unprofessional behavior.
I am still on the fence about the true nature of why the brothers really killed their parents, despite the authors thorough research and representation of the facts, I am not buying into the whole abuse theory.
To each his own I believe is the choice we are left with, I've made my decision, it's up to you, future readers to decide what you believe.
I am still on the fence about the true nature of why the brothers really killed their parents, despite the authors thorough research and representation of the facts, I am not buying into the whole abuse theory.
To each his own I believe is the choice we are left with, I've made my decision, it's up to you, future readers to decide what you believe.
October 1, 2024
Re-read this for absolutely no reason at all, One of the only good pieces of “true crime” media out there. I Felt sick while reading it.
On a completely unrelated note, Ryan Murphy you will be chewed up in the ninth circle of hell by one of the devil’s three mouthes, right between Judas and Brutus.
On a completely unrelated note, Ryan Murphy you will be chewed up in the ninth circle of hell by one of the devil’s three mouthes, right between Judas and Brutus.
October 5, 2024
Could not get past Lyle having a toupee at 16 years old
August 14, 2022
A few months ago I became infatuated with the Menendez Murders.
For years, I had heard about the boys who had killed their parents. But that's kind of all I knew about it and I wanted more. I started watching documentaries and reading articles about their two trials. I couldn't believe what I was reading.
I've never understood why we allow men and women to be held to different standards when it comes to abuse. It's hard for me to understand how people can view abuse of a man different from abuse of a woman. Abuse is abuse. As for these boys, (and yes I'm going to be calling them boys because they were younger than my 26 years of age when this happened), they believed after years of abuse their parents were conspiring to kill them. The sexual and physical abuse from their father continued throughout their childhoods up to the point of Jose's death. Not to mention the constant verbal abuse from their mother. I've seen the trial, I've seen the transcripts, I don't believe they did this with malicious intent.
It's interesting to me that we can support a woman killing her husband, claiming self defense under the assumption of battered wife syndrome, but we can't apply that same scenario to two sons whose parents were abusing them.
As for this book, Robert Rand makes it apparent very early on that he supports both the Menendez Brothers. That being said, the views portrayed in the book are very biased, aside from the trial transcripts included throughout the text. I was completely unaware of his stance before picking up this book, but it is similar to my own.
I don't believe we will ever truly understand what happened that fateful night in August 1989.
More true crime book reviews on A Reader's Diary.
For years, I had heard about the boys who had killed their parents. But that's kind of all I knew about it and I wanted more. I started watching documentaries and reading articles about their two trials. I couldn't believe what I was reading.
I've never understood why we allow men and women to be held to different standards when it comes to abuse. It's hard for me to understand how people can view abuse of a man different from abuse of a woman. Abuse is abuse. As for these boys, (and yes I'm going to be calling them boys because they were younger than my 26 years of age when this happened), they believed after years of abuse their parents were conspiring to kill them. The sexual and physical abuse from their father continued throughout their childhoods up to the point of Jose's death. Not to mention the constant verbal abuse from their mother. I've seen the trial, I've seen the transcripts, I don't believe they did this with malicious intent.
It's interesting to me that we can support a woman killing her husband, claiming self defense under the assumption of battered wife syndrome, but we can't apply that same scenario to two sons whose parents were abusing them.
As for this book, Robert Rand makes it apparent very early on that he supports both the Menendez Brothers. That being said, the views portrayed in the book are very biased, aside from the trial transcripts included throughout the text. I was completely unaware of his stance before picking up this book, but it is similar to my own.
I don't believe we will ever truly understand what happened that fateful night in August 1989.
More true crime book reviews on A Reader's Diary.
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