“You just can’t fake this pain”: Netizens split over Menendez Brothers case amid new Netflix documentary release

Netflix’s highly anticipated documentary The Menendez Brothers is set to premiere on October 7, revisiting one of the most controversial criminal cases in American history. The documentary, directed by Alejandro Hartmann, covers the decades of material that have surrounded the murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Erik and Lyle.

The pain, guilt, and trauma that ensued from the brutal crime are directly conveyed to the audience through exclusive audio interviews with the brothers.

The release has brought up the Menendez Brothers case again, sparking debate. Although some people believe the brothers' claims that they were abused, others are still sure they killed their parents to get money.

As Netflix revisits the case, the Menendez Brothers have sparked heated discussions online, with Twitter becoming a battlefield for contrasting opinions. While some sympathize with the brothers, citing the emotional and psychological toll of alleged abuse,

“You just can’t fake this pain”

"They lied that’s fact, they don’t deny it. But they still were probably emotionally traumatized by the situation and were freaking out so the emotions were probably real.", a user mentioned.

Others dismiss the trauma narrative, focusing solely on the brutality of the crime,

"I wish they wouldn’t have lied to the police and turned themselves in and told all of this to them because it may have helped I heard a new trial may happen Lessgoo"

"After 35 years the brothers stories have never changed. Nothing has been twisted or so tangled that they forgot what they said etc. lies tend to be forgotten which is how people implicate themselves eventually in cold cases." one user commented.

Another user sympathized with them saying, "Kitty was not a Mother at all. She was a Monster."

Following the same fact an X user mentioned, "If you can fake being a polish mother of two that has to give away one in order to save your life, you can fake anything."

"Spoiled rich kid wanted his parents money. 2024 the year when murderers and pedophiles suddenly become victims. GROSS!!!" another user commented.

A user empathized with them saying, "Let these boys out nowwww" while another said, "Poor babies".

Connecting with the brothers' past, an X-user says,

"the amount of evidence there was and they still decided to put these boys in jail the naked photos the family picture the 50+ witnesses that testified the letter and much more these men need therapy not life in jail."

The trial of the Menendez Brothers captivated the nation, with the public torn between sympathy for their trauma and outrage at the brutality of the crime. Prosecutors argued that the brothers were motivated by greed, aiming to inherit their parents’ $14 million estate. In contrast, the defense portrayed a harrowing image of lifelong abuse that led to the murders.

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The Menendez Brothers case: A tragic night

People all over the world were shocked when Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion on August 20, 1989. The brothers claimed that they did it as they were scared and desperate because their father, Jose Menendez, had s*xually abused them for years. Their defense team said the killing was self-defense, which drew a disturbing picture of the family's private life.

The documentary starts with a scary audio of Lyle Menendez calling 9-1-1 to report the murders. Even though there was strong evidence that the brothers were involved in the crime, they were not arrested right away. Lyle and Erik Menendez were surprised that it took the police seven months to suspect them, even though gunpowder residue and shell casings showed that they were involved.

After the murders, the Menendez Brothers spent lavishly, drawing attention. They bought expensive cars, Rolex watches, and a tennis coach. Many found this behavior suspicious, but the brothers said it helped them cope with their overwhelming grief. Erik said their spending was to hide emotional pain.

Lyle and Erik Menendez explained how their lives were aimless without their father’s control, often breaking down in the courtroom while recounting the nightmarish abuse they allegedly endured. Lyle described the murder as a “huge weight,” and strangely felt relieved once arrested, despite the grim reality of their situation.

The Menendez Brothers are currently serving life sentences at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in California. Lyle, now 56, and Erik, 53, continue to maintain their self-defense narrative, hoping the Netflix documentary will generate renewed public interest and a more sympathetic understanding of their case.

The documentary highlights new evidence that could potentially shed light on their claims. A letter Erik wrote to his cousin in 1989, just months before the murders, detailed his fear of his father. Additionally, a 2023 affidavit from Roy Rossello, a former member of the boy band Menudo, claims that Jose Menendez sexually abused him as well.

The Menendez Brothers (Image via Netflix)

As long as the Menendez brothers are serving their life sentences, there isn't much chance of a new trial. Experts say that a retrial is not likely because it would be too expensive and difficult, even though there is new evidence like the letter and the Rossello affidavit. Still, the Menendez brothers are still hopeful that people will change their minds, especially since young people on social media are supporting them.

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The Menendez Brothers will be available to stream on Netflix.