What happened to Dr. Oziel? Current status of the Menendez brothers therapist

The new Netflix documentary series about the Menendez brothers, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has released on the platform. It revolves around the real-life murder case of Jose and Kitty Menendez, a crime committed by their sons Lyle and Erik.

One of the people involved in the case (who is also cast on the show) is the psychiatrist Dr Jerome Oziel. He was the one to whom Erik Menendez first confessed the crime. The doctor's recorded tapes of the therapy sessions were crucial in the court trial against the Menendez brothers.

After the end of the trial in 1997, Dr Oziel lost his license to practice psychology or therapy. This was not just because of the Menendez confession. Oziel had also been having a physical relationship with one of his patients Judalon Smyth. She was the one who informed the authorities about the Menendez tapes.

Currently, the former therapist has changed his name from Jerome to Jerry Oziel. He now lives in Alberqueque in New Mexico, working at the Marital Meditation Center.

Though he is not permitted to practice formal therapy, he reportedly helps estranged couples solve issues in their marriages.

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The story behind Dr Oziel, the psychiatrist who recorded the Menendez brothers confession

A still from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (via Netflix / YouTube)

Dr Oziel, an established psychiatrist and licensed therapist, got his doctorate in clinical psychology from Arizona State University in 1972. He had a private practice in Beverly Hills, where he had his therapy appointments for many patients. His main area of specialisation was phobias and disorders.

The doctor's relationship with the Menendez family began when the parents José and Kitty hired him to counsel Erik in 1988. This was after the parents caught the Menendez brothers robbing a house. In 1989, a 20-year old Erik told Oziel that he and his brother Lyle had murdered their parents. He even mentioned in detail how they shot José and Kitty and created an alibi for the police.

This conversation took place across many sessions, four of which were taped by Dr Oziel during a period from October 31 to December 11. The doctor even had a taped joint session with the Menendez brothers Lyle and Erik together in December.

Initially, Oziel maintained confidentiality about the matter. But, he told Judalon Smyth about the whole case. After some time, when he broke up with her, she went to the authorities with the information for payback against him.

In March 1990, the brothers and the doctor were arrested and the recorded tapes of their therapy sessions were seized.

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What happened when Dr Oziel was brought into court against the Menendez brothers?

A still from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (via Netflix / YouTube)

After the initial arrest of the brothers, they were put through a court trial under a murder charge. There was a debate about whether the recorded tapes would be admissible evidence in the court. In August 1992, it was declared that two of the four tapes would be counted. They were used as the basis for the prosecution against the Menendez brothers.

Oziel also testified in court about his sessions with the brothers. However, he mostly also spoke about his relationship with Judalon Smyth.

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Audiences can watch Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the new documentary series about the Menendez Brothers, streaming on Netflix.