close
close

Menendez's brother, who shot his parents, criticizes “dishonest portrayal” of new documentary


Menendez's brother, who shot his parents, criticizes “dishonest portrayal” of new documentary

Erik Menendez, one of the two Menendez brothers who shot their parents in their home. Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Villa in 1989, condemns in a new documentary what he sees as the “dishonest portrayal” of her story.

Joseph Menendez, whose middle name is Lyle, and his brother Erik shot and killed their parents, Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez. They were both convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison in 1996, but have recently been seeking a reduced sentence.

“I thought we had moved beyond the lies and devastating character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle based on horrific and obvious lies that were rampant on the show. I can only believe this was done on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I must say that I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be so naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives to do this without malicious intent,” Erik said in a statement posted to X by his wife, Tammi Menendez.

The documentary “The Menendez Brothers,” which includes interviews with both brothers, premieres on Netflix on October 7. A press release about the film promises to “offer a different perspective—that of the brothers themselves.”

THE MENENDEZ BROTHERS: MONSTERS OR MISUNDERSTOOD?

Erik and Lyle Menendez listen during their trial in the 1990s.

Erik and Lyle Menendez listen during their trial in the 1990s. (Ted Soqui/Sygma)

The documentary also deals in detail with the brothers' accusations against their father that they were sexually abused.

But at least one brother seems to be dissatisfied with the final product.

Lyle Menendez, who shot his parents along with his brother, is planning his life after prison in the face of a new calling

The Menendez brothers Erik (left) and Lyle on the steps of their home in Beverly Hills in November 1989.

The Menendez brothers – Erik (left) and Lyle – on the steps of their Beverly Hills home in November 1989. (Ronald L. Soble/Los Angeles Times)

“It saddens me to know that Netflix, with its dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime, has pushed the painful truths back several steps – back to an era when the prosecution built its narrative on the belief system that men were not sexually assaulted and that men experienced rape trauma differently than women,” Erik said in his statement shared by Tammi.

“These horrific lies have been challenged and exposed over the past two decades by countless brave victims who have overcome their personal shame and courageously spoken out about it. And now Murphy is shaping his horrific narrative through vile and horrifying character portrayals of Lyle and me and disheartening slanders.”

WATCH: MENENDEZ BROTHERS' LAWYER PRESENTS NEW FACTS

Erik also called for “the truth to be accepted as truth.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“How demoralizing it is to know that one man with power can undo decades of progress in understanding childhood trauma,” he continued in the statement. “Violence is never an answer, never a solution, and always tragic. So I hope it will never be forgotten that violence against a child creates a hundred horrific and silent crime scenes, darkly hidden behind glitz and glamour, rarely revealed until the tragedy penetrates all involved. To all who have helped and supported me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The brothers' lawyers argued that they should have been convicted of manslaughter and not murder, because in that case they would already have been released from prison.

Fox News' Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *