CA - Court upholds Menendez brothers' convictions

[Tricia]

Hi Everyone,
Please remember to put "just my opinion," "JMO," or "MOO" if you are not providing links to support your statement.
Thank you.

 

[Betty P]

I highly doubt they’d reoffend if released. They have both been model prisoners and have had years of intense therapy

There were only 2 burglaries. Only 1 in which both brothers were involved with. They did not commit these burglaries on their own, they were with a group of Erik’s friends from Calabasas/Beverly Hills High. Including one friend that the prosecution used (Craig Cignarelli). Before being caught, they felt guilty and tried returning the stolen items, but accidentally returned the items to the wrong home. Hardly the sign of sociopaths

As far as I’m aware, none of the doctors or experts have ever said that either brother is a sociopath

At minimum, I think they would become involved in financial scams and crimes to make money. Otherwise how will they support themselves.

I believe they still have no remorse or conscience, which makes them susceptible to committing murder again if they felt it necessary to further a personal goal. JMO

Have they been through any kind of review by a parole board? Has anyone examined, tested and reviewed their record in prison to see where they stand? Any standardized personality tests?

Celebrity opinions don’t count. JMO

 

[Seattle1]

Years ago, I recall a news program where Lyle expressed regret that he couldn't shield his brother Erik from their father's abuse. But that was it. I don't ever recall seeing either one of them ever publicly expressing regret for slaughtering their parents. Not once. I think this is very telling, and frightening too. JMO

 

[Noirdame79]

Years ago, I recall a news program where Lyle expressed regret that he couldn't shield his brother Erik from their father's abuse. But that was it. I don't ever recall seeing either one of them ever publicly expressing regret for slaughtering their parents. Not once. I think this is very telling, and frightening too. JMO

They expresses remorse during their testimonies. They have done so interviews as well. They did love their parents.

 

[Swirlz]

They expresses remorse during their testimonies. They have done so interviews as well. They did love their parents.

Why should they express remorse for using lethal force to defend their lives? Go onto YouTube and watch the videos of Gary Plauche blowing away the guy who raped his son and then read the comments. Is anyone suggesting Plauche should be remorseful? I BTW have never seen or heard Lyle express remorse, he has repeatedly stood by his belief that Jose was a child rapist who would've killed him.

 

[Seattle1]

They expresses remorse during their testimonies. They have done so interviews as well. They did love their parents.

Sure ... and Lyle also said many things in 2.5 years of recorded conversations with Nora that negated those "expressions of remorse" said in Court to the point he could not testify at his second trial! I was one of many that fell for the exaggerations and lies, and felt had.

Respectfully, I never said they did not love their parents, I said I never heard any expression of remorse for brutally slaughtering them as they sat defensively in front of their television. I suggest OP watch the full testimony of the ME to grasp the reality of what happened to them.

IMO, L & E had their entire adult lives in front of them on Aug 29, 1989-- to walk away forever, "escape" from their "evil parents," live free of abuse, but chose otherwise -- they went for the GOLD because the thought they could get away with it.

17-CA v. Menendez: Dr. Irwin Golden

Deputy medical examiner Dr. Irwin Golden, who performed the autopsies on Jose and Kitty, takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.

www.courttv.com

I think my time was best spent watching 2 hours or part 1 of the ME, Dr. Golden's, testimony about the victims versus the Netflix dramatization. The parties agreed to admit two photos by the ME and body diagrams for illustration purposes. The photo of Mom, Kitty and her wounds is absolutely shattering. No words can explain... ... Cowards. MOO

 

[texaslb218]

...IMO, L & E had their entire adult lives in front of them on Aug 29, 1989-- to walk away forever, "escape" from their "evil parents," live free of abuse, but chose otherwise -- they went for the GOLD because the thought they could get away with it.

Snipped because this says it all for me. IMO

 

[Noirdame79]

Why should they express remorse for using lethal force to defend their lives? Go onto YouTube and watch the videos of Gary Plauche blowing away the guy who raped his son and then read the comments. Is anyone suggesting Plauche should be remorseful? I BTW have never seen or heard Lyle express remorse, he has repeatedly stood by his belief that Jose was a child rapist who would've killed him.

I'm just stating that they have expressed remorse. They loved their parents and have stated that they miss them. Lyle specifically said in his direct-examination in the first trial, regarding his father, "I miss the bond that I had with him." Like I said, it's complicated because their parents were a major presence in their lives. Erik has stated that he is ashamed and of what he did and feels bad that his family had to testify (especially in the first trial, which was televised) because they are very private people. The majority of their family members support them says a lot.

MOO

 

[Swirlz]

O.k., I have Paul Mones' book somewhere. I just went and looked for it but couldn't find it. He said most children who kill abusive parents don't feel remorse, they get it that they were defending their lives. Mones makes the point that we wouldn't expect remorse from a kidnap victim who'd used lethal force against an abductor. Being born into it is worse.

I've heard Lyle's post conviction interviews and as far as I know he's stood by his belief that Jose would rather have been charged with murder than child sexual abuse. I'm not sure why anyone would be expected to feel remorse for killing a child rapist. As for that these children loved their parents, I mean, yeah, Stockholm Syndrome.

 

[Betty P]

O.k., I have Paul Mones' book somewhere. I just went and looked for it but couldn't find it. He said most children who kill abusive parents don't feel remorse, they get it that they were defending their lives. Mones makes the point that we wouldn't expect remorse from a kidnap victim who'd used lethal force against an abductor. Being born into it is worse.

I've heard Lyle's post conviction interviews and as far as I know he's stood by his belief that Jose would rather have been charged with murder than child sexual abuse. I'm not sure why anyone would be expected to feel remorse for killing a child rapist. As for that these children loved their parents, I mean, yeah, Stockholm Syndrome.

Maybe I'm over simplifying the situation, but while the sons were victims of their parents, they were also the products of their parents. Their parents may have victimized them, but they also shaped their personalities and taught them the behaviors that turned them into cold-hearted criminals and murderers.

Apparently, the LA county DA has agreed to review their case again, in spite of two previous trials that found them guilty.

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/05/nx-s1-5140056/menendez-brothers-case-review-explained

This time around, the attention seems to be focused on them because Netflix has a tv show they want to promote and one of the Kardashian celebrities (whose father brought us the miscarriage of justice in the OJ Simpson trial) needs more media attention.

I don't live in California. The voters of LA county can be the judge of this new dog and pony show. They can decide if they want these criminals living again amongst them and whether this is a good use of their public officials time.

JMO

 

[twall]

The new Netflix documentary will be released Monday 10/7.

New 'Menendez Brothers' documentary features interviews with Erik and Lyle 'in their own words'

Less than a month after the release of the "Monsters" series, a new documentary featuring recorded phone calls of Erik and Lyle Menendez is coming to Netflix.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Noirdame79]

Maybe I'm over simplifying the situation, but while the sons were victims of their parents, they were also the products of their parents. Their parents may have victimized them, but they also shaped their personalities and taught them the behaviors that turned them into cold-hearted criminals and murderers.

Apparently, the LA county DA has agreed to review their case again, in spite of two previous trials that found them guilty.

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/05/nx-s1-5140056/menendez-brothers-case-review-explained

This time around, the attention seems to be focused on them because Netflix has a tv show they want to promote and one of the Kardashian celebrities (whose father brought us the miscarriage of justice in the OJ Simpson trial) needs more media attention.

I don't live in California. The voters of LA county can be the judge of this new dog and pony show. They can decide if they want these criminals living again amongst them and whether this is a good use of their public officials time.

JMO

Just to clarify, they were not found guilty in the first trial; it ended in a mistrial.

 

[IHAVENOCLUE]

I have a question to other posters...

One to which I have no opinion yet...
as I have not watched this case as closely as many of y'all have...

This question is merely from curiosity...
Not hinting towards any guilt/innocence of these men...

Do you think they... or either one of them...
would have a desire to kill again should they be let out of prison...

Just wondering....

 

[Noirdame79]

I have a question to other posters...

One to which I have no opinion yet...
as I have not watched this case as closely as many of y'all have...

This question is merely from curiosity...
Not hinting towards any guilt/innocence of these men...

Do you think they... or either one of them...
would have a desire to kill again should they be let out of prison...

Just wondering....

I personally don't think so

 

[MassGuy]

I have a question to other posters...

One to which I have no opinion yet...
as I have not watched this case as closely as many of y'all have...

This question is merely from curiosity...
Not hinting towards any guilt/innocence of these men...

Do you think they... or either one of them...
would have a desire to kill again should they be let out of prison...

Just wondering....

I believe they’re cold blooded killers who did this mostly for financial gain.

That being said, I do not think they profile as threats to the community; I wouldn’t be worried about them reoffending.

 

[IHAVENOCLUE]

Thank you for the responses to my question...

 

[Seattle1]

I have a question to other posters...

One to which I have no opinion yet...
as I have not watched this case as closely as many of y'all have...

This question is merely from curiosity...
Not hinting towards any guilt/innocence of these men...

Do you think they... or either one of them...
would have a desire to kill again should they be let out of prison...

Just wondering....

I know some have opined that L & E were obsessed with movies, books, thoughts of murder but I think it was more a means to an end. At 18 and 21, Kyle was moving back to NJ and Erik registering at UCLA, and they wanted to continue with those plans in the manner they were accustomed to.

IMO, if they are prohibited from profiting from their crime, to support themselves comfortably outside of prison, and an opportunity presented itself, I don't have any reason to believe they wouldn't kill again if it gave them wealth to enjoy life as entitled beings. (IMO, I think this is why they were model prisoners--the want factor was removed from the equation).

However, if they already have a wealthy benefactor whose already pledged a lifestyle of privilege for them, I don't think they will desire to murder again. It was a means to an end.. MOO

 

[Ray_of_hope]

At minimum, I think they would become involved in financial scams and crimes to make money. Otherwise how will they support themselves.

I believe they still have no remorse or conscience, which makes them susceptible to committing murder again if they felt it necessary to further a personal goal. JMO

Have they been through any kind of review by a parole board? Has anyone examined, tested and reviewed their record in prison to see where they stand? Any standardized personality tests?

Celebrity opinions don’t count. JMO

I agree with you. IMO, family members are not the most credible because many don't want the stigma associated with the family name. Also, they are not the most unbiased.
Also, only experts that will promote the defense of the accused will be hired by the defense and vise versa. That's why credibility is so important.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Why should they express remorse for using lethal force to defend their lives? Go onto YouTube and watch the videos of Gary Plauche blowing away the guy who raped his son and then read the comments. Is anyone suggesting Plauche should be remorseful? I BTW have never seen or heard Lyle express remorse, he has repeatedly stood by his belief that Jose was a child rapist who would've killed him.

Respectfully, the threats from their parents were only from the brothers and I didn't find them credible.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Snipped because this says it all for me. IMO

I agree and it also says it all for me too. Maybe, if they hadn't gone on a shopping spree, I may have believed them.