I couldn’t visit Lyle Menendez because of the pandemic – until now!

I couldn’t visit Lyle Menendez because of the pandemic – until now!

The last time I visited Lyle Menendez at the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego was February 2020.

Within weeks, California, like the rest of the world, would be locked down because of COVID-19.

Sure, we were all unhappy to be stuck at home, but imagine trying to survive the plague while packed in prison!

The virus was not a problem at Donovan until December; that’s when a shock outbreak — 700 new cases in one week — turned the sprawling lockup into a pandemic penitentiary.

Lyle and Erik, luckily, were never infected. They are now fully vaccinated.

The 1993 Menendez Brothers murder trial is finally streaming online, plus I’m interviewed on Court TV’s new podcast

The 1993 Menendez Brothers murder trial is finally streaming online,  plus I’m interviewed on Court TV’s new podcast

Finally! Twenty-seven years after two juries were seated for the trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the rebooted Court TV has posted the ENTIRE six-month-long court proceedings (even the heated evidence hearings) on their website.

Two juries in the first trial – one for each brother – heard 101 witnesses and examined 405 exhibits over 85 days of testimony that ran from July 20 to December 3, 1993. The case ended with two mistrials in January 1994 after neither brother’s jury could agree on a verdict.

Now, you can watch the trial and see everything the juries saw.

After two decades apart, Erik and Lyle Menendez were reunited one year ago today

After two decades apart, Erik and Lyle Menendez were reunited one year ago today

The Menendez brothers were reunited a year ago today, after not having seen each other for almost 22 years.

The brothers were reunited at the R. J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego.

The last time they’d been together was in 1996, two months after they were sentenced to life without parole following their first-degree murder conviction.

The day of the sentencing, the Beverly Hills Police filed a motion asked the judge to place the brothers in separate prisons because they had been co-conspirators in committing a crime.

The judge agreed.

The Menendez Brothers make their first court appearance (video)

The Menendez Brothers make their first court appearance (video)

On Monday, March 12, 1990, Erik and Lyle Menendez – who were being held without bail – were arraigned at Beverly Hills Municipal Court.

The charges against the brothers were read to a packed courtroom that included many supportive family members.  

Erik Menendez looked exhausted because he hadn’t slept since his voluntary surrender and return from Israel a day before.

It was the beginning of the end the lives the boys once knew.

Jay Leno thought The Menendez Murders were just a big joke (video)

Jay Leno thought The Menendez Murders were just a big joke (video)

The mainstream media signed on to the District Attorney’s 1993 theory that Erik and Lyle Menendez were a pair of greedy rich kids, and that included NBC’s Jay Leno.

Leno’s monologues on The Tonight Show often featured at least one joke based on the Menendez testimony of the day.

When Erik admitted that he had a hard time getting dates, this was Jay’s gag:

Yesterday, Erik said his parents made fun of him because he never had a girlfriend. You know, I don’t know how to break it to him, but shooting your Mom and Dad isn’t really going to help your chances.

Chapter 44 | A Compelling Witness: “25 Years Ago Today . . .”

Chapter 44 | A Compelling Witness: “25 Years Ago Today . . .”

On Friday, September 10: “The defense calls Joseph Lyle Menendez,” announced attorney Jill Lansing at five minutes before two o’clock. Lyle, dressed in a navy crew-neck sweater, walked directly to Lansing.

Lansing was blunt:

“Did you love your parents?”

“Yes,” he choked out hoarsely.

And on August 20, 1989, did you and your brother kill your mom and dad?”

“Yes.”

I’m spreading the truth about ‘The Menendez Murders’ on iHeart Radio

I’m spreading the truth about ‘The Menendez Murders’ on iHeart Radio

Thanks to the iHeartRadio stations, I was able to share the Menendez brothers’ story in Chicago, Philly, San Diego, Minneapolis, St. Louis and more.

I’m grateful to be spreading the truth – one station at a time.

Here’s my iHeart interview with La Dona Harvey and Ted Garcia of KOGO radio in San Diego, the local station near the prison where the Lyle and Erik are now incarcerated.