Menendez Brothers

Miranda Warning

Aug 20, 1964

Miranda Rights-You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?

Personal Information

Jan 10, 1968

Joseph Lyle Menendez was born in Illinois on January 10, 1968. He was found guilty of plagiarism in college, and was arrested for stealing from the homes of his parents' friends.

Personal Information

Nov 27, 1970

Erik Gaken Menendez, was born in Blackwood New Jersey on November 27, 1970

Arrest

Aug 20, 1989

Agust 20, 1989 the Menendez Brothers killed their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion for their inheritants. In March 1990, Lyle Menendez was arrested. Erik, who had spent part of his inheritance on a personal tennis coach, surrendered to Los Angeles police upon his return from a tournament in Israel.

Arrest (2)

Mar 19, 1990

Erik couldn’t take the guilt andconfessed his involvement to therapist, Dr. L. Jerome Oziel. Lyle reportedly threatened to kill the therapist if he even told anyone what the brothers did. He taped the sessions to impress his woman then she ended up going to the police with her information and, in March 1990, Lyle, 22, and Erik, 19, were arrested.

Trial

Apr 17, 1993

The California Supreme Court ruled that the tapes could be played. When the trial began in the summer of 1993. The Menendez brothers emotionally described years of sexual abuse by their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. They argued that they killed their parents in self defense.

Jury Verdict

Apr 17, 1996

There were two juries, one for each brother, and they will hear the case at the same time.The jury had eight men and four women. The jury for the brothers recommended life in prison without parole for Lyle and Erik Menendez, finding them guilty of murdering their parents.

Judges Sentencing

Jul 2, 1996

Judge Stanley Weisberg of Superior Court, did not impose the death penalty even though the jury felt that was the best outcome.The judge said he believed Erik Menendez, 26, and his brother Lyle, 28, carefully decided to kill both parents. For that reason, he said, he sentenced each brother to two consecutive life sentences.

Arraignment

Aug 16, 1996

During the penalty phase of the murder trial for Erik and Lyle Menendez, defense lawyer Leslie Abramson allegedly directed a defense witness, Dr. William Vicary, to alter his notes, but the district attorney's office decided that it would not investigate the infraction.