CA - Court upholds Menendez brothers' convictions

[Bekind89]

While Erik and Lyle Menendez confessed to their former psychologist, Dr. L. Jerome Oziel, that they killed their parents, they did not mention the sexual abuse they later alleged at trial. The brothers instead spoke of hatred for their domineering father and putting their mother "out of her misery". The absence of abuse claims on the therapy tapes was a key part of the prosecution's case.

Confidentiality between a therapist and patient is legally protected, but a judge ruled the Menendez tapes admissible as evidence. This was due to the brothers' threat to kill Oziel, which a judge ruled voided their right to confidentiality.

Lyle and Erik Menendez - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[fridaybaker]

While Erik and Lyle Menendez confessed to their former psychologist, Dr. L. Jerome Oziel, that they killed their parents, they did not mention the sexual abuse they later alleged at trial. The brothers instead spoke of hatred for their domineering father and putting their mother "out of her misery". The absence of abuse claims on the therapy tapes was a key part of the prosecution's case.

Confidentiality between a therapist and patient is legally protected, but a judge ruled the Menendez tapes admissible as evidence. This was due to the brothers' threat to kill Oziel, which a judge ruled voided their right to confidentiality.

Lyle and Erik Menendez - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yes. I've always had a problem with these two and their excuses for killing their parents. None of it lines up in any way with me. Thankfully, they are behind bars for now...

 

[Bekind89]

Yes. I've always had a problem with these two and their excuses for killing their parents. None of it lines up in any way with me. Thankfully, they are behind bars for now...

Yes, they literally slaughtered their parents then went on a gleeful spending spree.
Two sociopathic killers, IMHO.
They were criminals before the murders and they are still criminals behind bars.

 

[Aegon_the_Conqueror]

While Erik and Lyle Menendez confessed to their former psychologist, Dr. L. Jerome Oziel, that they killed their parents, they did not mention the sexual abuse they later alleged at trial. The brothers instead spoke of hatred for their domineering father and putting their mother "out of her misery". The absence of abuse claims on the therapy tapes was a key part of the prosecution's case.

Confidentiality between a therapist and patient is legally protected, but a judge ruled the Menendez tapes admissible as evidence. This was due to the brothers' threat to kill Oziel, which a judge ruled voided their right to confidentiality.

Lyle and Erik Menendez - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I don't think that not telling the ex-Dr. Oziel was the difference-maker. Oziel's word was ugatz. In the first trial, they played 2 of his 4 tapes and he testified. In the second, they played one tape and he didn't testify. Even if they were to discuss the sexual abuse, there's a good chance it never would've made if to court anyway. If not for others close to them corroborating their abuse claims, even telling Oziel wouldn't have removed any doubts for me.

 

[Bekind89]

I don't think that not telling the ex-Dr. Oziel was the difference-maker. Oziel's word was ugatz. In the first trial, they played 2 of his 4 tapes and he testified. In the second, they played one tape and he didn't testify. Even if they were to discuss the sexual abuse, there's a good chance it never would've made if to court anyway. If not for others close to them corroborating their abuse claims, even telling Oziel wouldn't have removed any doubts for me.

Probably threatening to kill him was a deal breaker.

 

[SophieRose]

Lyle Menendez has been denied parole just like his brother Erik. Here's where things stand

The brothers have been in prison for more than three decades for the shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home in August 1989.

laist.com

As with this brother, Menendez's use of cellphones in prison played prominently during the hearing. Cellphones are contraband and possession one is considered a serious violation of prison rules.

Citing prison records, Deputy Parole Commissioner Patrick Reardon noted Menendez had access to a cellphone from 2018 until 2024.

Menendez said he lived in a prison dorm during that time with five other people. He said someone would take responsibility for the phone who didn’t have anything to lose.

“I had convinced myself that this wasn’t a means that was harming anyone but myself... ," Menendez said. "I didn’t think it really disrupted prison management very much.”

In March 2024, Menendez lost his family visits because he got caught with the phone. Because he was caught again, he is now barred from family visits for three years.

According to a prison risk-assessment, cited by Garland, a doctor found Menendez had anti-social traits and was prone to entitlement, deception and manipulation. He also had a history of not accepting consequences.

Menendez said he talked through those issues with his doctor.

"Those elements were there with the cellphone use," he said. "I recognize them.”

 

[fridaybaker]

“…Menendez had anti-social traits and was prone to entitlement, deception and manipulation.”

Gee, ya think so?

 

[Bekind89]

Lyle Menendez has been denied parole just like his brother Erik. Here's where things stand

The brothers have been in prison for more than three decades for the shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home in August 1989.

laist.com

As with this brother, Menendez's use of cellphones in prison played prominently during the hearing. Cellphones are contraband and possession one is considered a serious violation of prison rules.

Citing prison records, Deputy Parole Commissioner Patrick Reardon noted Menendez had access to a cellphone from 2018 until 2024.

Menendez said he lived in a prison dorm during that time with five other people. He said someone would take responsibility for the phone who didn’t have anything to lose.

“I had convinced myself that this wasn’t a means that was harming anyone but myself... ," Menendez said. "I didn’t think it really disrupted prison management very much.”

In March 2024, Menendez lost his family visits because he got caught with the phone. Because he was caught again, he is now barred from family visits for three years.

According to a prison risk-assessment, cited by Garland, a doctor found Menendez had anti-social traits and was prone to entitlement, deception and manipulation. He also had a history of not accepting consequences.

Menendez said he talked through those issues with his doctor.

"Those elements were there with the cellphone use," he said. "I recognize them.”

" A history of not accepting consequences."
That tracks. It is interesting that when he was caught stealing from his friends parents, his father used his money and influence to make the burglary charges disappear.
One can't help but wonder how differently things may have turned out if only those spoiled, entitled young men had been made to accept responsibility and face the consequences of their actions and behavior.
No one will ever know.

 

[Nadal]

" A history of not accepting consequences."
That tracks. It is interesting that when he was caught stealing from his friends parents, his father used his money and influence to make the burglary charges disappear.
One can't help but wonder how differently things may have turned out if only those spoiled, entitled young men had been made to accept responsibility and face the consequences of their actions and behavior.
No one will ever know.

Yeah that theft and the fact that they were planning others is why i believe this was at least equally financially motivated, also killing their mother which was about them inheriting the money as if she was alive she would have got it. I do believe their father abused them and that's likely why they were the types of people they were but i don't buy the new narrative that it was entirely revenge based they clearly had major financial motive.

 

[TheCrossroadsFiles]

Noirdame79 , thanks for posting these. I like to think I'm a pretty good judge of character. Their father was strict, true, but I was a strict mom. I honestly hope that these two never see the light of day again. I followed this case more religiously than I did the C.A. case. Sure, I may be wrong, but all I seen was two rich snots cashing in on their parents death. When they cried tears, it was for themselves. I seen absolutely no remorse from either of these two young men for taking their parents lives. Such a sad case.

Well said

 

[Tricia]

Mark Geragos about strokes out on this podcast. Since Geragos is their lawyer, the YouTube video of the podcast is allowed.
youtube.com/watch?si=rRDknPXaQ8M3ESgT&v=QuCYJWsoYmk&feature=youtu.be

 

[friendlysleuther]

While Erik and Lyle Menendez confessed to their former psychologist, Dr. L. Jerome Oziel, that they killed their parents, they did not mention the sexual abuse they later alleged at trial. The brothers instead spoke of hatred for their domineering father and putting their mother "out of her misery". The absence of abuse claims on the therapy tapes was a key part of the prosecution's case.

Confidentiality between a therapist and patient is legally protected, but a judge ruled the Menendez tapes admissible as evidence. This was due to the brothers' threat to kill Oziel, which a judge ruled voided their right to confidentiality.

Lyle and Erik Menendez - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yeah, but, something like that (especially for men, as someone else noted) would take a good amount of time to bring up..

---

In fact, a 2021 study found that..

"The vast majority of survivors sought help many years after being sexually assaulted, and male survivors waited an average of 3 years longer from the last sexual assault before seeking therapy."

OR.. The 2020 study titled "To say it out loud is to kill your own childhood." (...)
"Yet, on average it takes 17 years before victims disclose their abuse."

 

[Nadal]

Whatever you think of their overall motives, Roy Rossello saying Jose sexually abused him when he was 14 gives a lot of credibility to their claims.

 

[Bekind89]

Whatever you think of their overall motives, Roy Rossello saying Jose sexually abused him when he was 14 gives a lot of credibility to their claims.

I was aware of that, but I still do not believe he abused his sons.
Respectfully, I just don't. Never have, never will. I truly believe that they killed their parents out of pure greed. Their criminal behavior both before the murders and in prison has only solidified my belief.
As I stated, in my eyes they are just two sociopathic killers.
Jmo.

 

[Nadal]

I was aware of that, but I still do not believe he abused his sons.
Respectfully, I just don't. Never have, never will. I truly believe that they killed their parents out of pure greed. Their criminal behavior both before the murders and in prison has only solidified my belief.
As I stated, in my eyes they are just two sociopathic killers.
Jmo.

I think the abuse played a major part in turning them into those kinds of people personally.

 

[Bekind89]

I think the abuse played a major part in turning them into those kinds of people personally.

I think being spoiled rotten and having a feeling of entitlement did as well as greed. Jmo

 

[Nadal]

I think being spoiled rotten and having a feeling of entitlement did as well as greed. Jmo

Yep i agree this all played a role too which is why i didn't say the sexual abuse was the sole reason. His physical and mental abuse also seriously factored in we definitely know he was abusive in those ways.

 

[Bekind89]

Yep i agree this all played a role too which is why i didn't say the sexual abuse was the sole reason. His physical and mental abuse also seriously factored in we definitely know he was abusive in those ways.

He was a domineering parent, but many parents are. Being domineering isn't the same as abuse. Jmo

 

[Recidivist]

He was a domineering parent, but many parents are. Being domineering isn't the same as abuse. Jmo

What about sodomy? Where does that fit in?

 

[Bekind89]

What about sodomy? Where does that fit in?

What proof is there, and by proof I don't mean claims by the killers? As far as I am aware all we have is the claim of two sociopaths using the abuse excuse to get away with blowing both parents away with a shotgun.
Sorry, that isn't enough for me.
We will have to respectfully agree to disagree about this because as I have already stated, I will never believe them.