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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is now streaming on Netflix. It traces the infamous case of the Menendez brothers, who murdered their parents after allegedly suffering for years at their hands. While it keeps the story on their trial, there is a third tragic killing that includes actress Dominique Dunne.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story offers a poignant glimpse into her story and its connections to the overall narrative of domestic violence. Through the series, the courtroom drama surrounding Dominique's death came to the fore. It especially highlights the systemic failures that gave John Sweeney, the man who murdered Dominique Dunne, a sentence too lenient for her murder.
Much time has passed since John Sweeney was convicted of manslaughter for his part in Dominique's death. Serving less time than he allegedly deserved, he returned to work in the food industry. However, his current whereabouts remain unknown.
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What is the story of Dominique Dunne and John Sweeney as seen in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story highlighted Dominique Dunne's case and the matter of domestic violence. Dominique Dunne was a young actress who got recognition after starring in Poltergeist. Her life was cut short when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend, John Sweeney. They met at the restaurant where they both worked and quickly established a violent relationship.
After several weeks of cohabitation, Dominique suffered physical abuse, eventually resulting in the horrific incident three days before her death. Sweeney strangled her for six minutes. She slipped into a coma and was put on life support, from which her parents later consented to have her withdrawn.
The trial sparked a public outcry. Sweeney was convicted of manslaughter by the judge, who had taken the option of first-degree murder off the table. Many believe that if they had presented all the evidence of past violent incidents, the verdict would be different.
Sweeney went to prison for six years but served only a little over three years. Dominique Dunne and John Sweeney's story helped challenge the structure of the whole criminal justice system with its handling of domestic violence cases.
Dominique's death prompted her father, Dominick Dunne, to become an opponent of the crime, using his wit and writing skills as a journalist to bring attention to this crime. The case not only spelled out a personal tragedy for the Dunne family but also highlighted broader societal failures in the protection of domestic abuse victims.
What happened to John Thomas Sweeney post-conviction?
After being released in September 1986, John Sweeney returned to the kitchen. He worked through several restaurants to rebuild his reputation as a cook. One of these jobs was at The Chronicle, an upper-crust restaurant in Santa Monica. In a 1987 interview with the LA Times, Sweeney showed chilling nonchalance over his past, saying:
"I did not do all that much time, considering the crime."
An incident in 1994 came to light when Dominick Dunne was contacted by a doctor who had come in contact with Sweeney. The doctor called Dunne, informing him his daughter was discussing her engagement to Sweeney, and asked whether it would be safe. Dunne reportedly advised them to call off the engagement. Later, Sweeney filed a case of harassment against Griffin Dunne, Dominique's brother, for contacting the girl (the doctor's daughter) about Sweeney's violent records.
Dominick Dunne reported to Slate about his obsession with keeping tabs on Sweeney and wanting to "harm" him. Hiring private investigator and convicted felon Anthony Pellicano, he discovered Sweeney's name change to John Maura. However, Dominick eventually came to terms with not knowing his whereabouts, saying:
"I don't want to know where he is… It's much healthier. I just hope something terrible happens to him before he dies."
Although Sweeney's whereabouts remain a mystery, he is widely considered to still be alive. His case still evokes debate over the lack of accountability, and his post-prison life raised many ethical questions about whether individuals like him could really reintegrate into society after doing such despicable acts.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story portrays the compelling story of the Menendez brothers. It also includes the tragic case of Dominique Dunne, whose story reminds viewers of the difficulties of the justice system in the face of domestic violence.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is currently streaming on Netflix.
