In a recent interview featured in “TMZ Presents: The Menendez Brothers: The Prison Interview”, Lyle (56) and Erik (53) Menendez spoke candidly from prison about their hopes for the future and reflections on their past.
Convicted in 1996 for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, the brothers are now seeking resentencing, citing alleged long-term sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez, as a significant factor in their actions.
In their TMZ interview, which premiered on April 7th, Lyle Menendez discussed their involvement in prison programs focused on trauma healing and advocacy. He highlighted their work in helping survivors of trauma through methods like “speaking shame,” which encourages individuals to voice their experiences.
Erik Menendez echoed similar sentiments, expressing a commitment to supporting victims of systemic failures and continuing their advocacy work beyond prison walls:
“There are people that the system is failing and I want to help the people that the system is failing,” Erik said. “Lyle and I aren’t talking about leaving prison, should we be able to get out, and not looking back. Our lives will be spent working with the prison and doing the work we’re doing in here out there.”
taking the stand?
The brothers might take the stand next Thursday to convince the judge they’re worthy of resentencing in what their lawyer calls a high-risk move.
Attorney Mark Geragos appeared on the “2 Angry Men” podcast Friday, speaking from the Van Nuys Courthouse just after scoring a legal win—where a judge rejected the District Attorney’s attempt to block a resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez.
Geragos explained there’s a strategic risk in having the brothers testify. He believes the judge will likely allow prosecutors broad leeway to argue against resentencing, and expects they’ll focus heavily on the 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez. If Erik and Lyle take the stand, they’ll likely face intense cross-examination on those crimes—something Geragos worries could derail the hearing’s true focus.
The hearing is intended to assess whether the Menendez brothers have been rehabilitated and whether they still pose a threat to the public. However, Geragos noted that so far, the prosecution has concentrated almost entirely on rehashing the original murders.
