This Ryan Murphy True Crime Series Needs A Rewatch To Fully Understand Netflix’s Menendez Brothers Drama

Key Takeaways

• Lyle and Erik Menendez had intriguing connections to O. J. Simpson from the 1970s.
• The outcome of the Menendez brothers’ case was influenced by O. J. Simpson’s murder trial.
• The FX series, American Crime Story: The People Vs O. J Simpson, provides insight into the Menendez case.

As a seasoned legal scholar with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the trials of O.J. Simpson and the Menendez brothers are two cases that will forever be etched in the annals of American jurisprudence. The intertwining lives of these three individuals, each embroiled in their own web of controversy, make for a tale as captivating as it is tragic.

The Ryan Murphy-produced drama series, titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” has been a massive success on Netflix since its release a month ago, garnering a total of 30 million views and ranking in the top 10 in Netflix’s charts across 89 countries. However, the portrayal of the case has stirred up controversy, with the Menendez brothers themselves challenging some of the claims made in the series. To fully grasp the context behind the events, it might be beneficial to revisit Ryan Murphy’s FX series, specifically “American Crime Story: The People Vs O.J Simpson,” as it provides valuable background information.

In the ’90s, Los Angeles experienced intense turmoil, with the Rodney King beating inciting riots in 1992. The city’s unrest escalated further following O.J. Simpson’s acquittal in his murder trial, significantly influencing the Menendez Brothers case. A recent documentary on the Menendez Brothers, released on Netflix on October 7, provides more insight into the O.J. Simpson connection. However, Ryan Murphy’s 2016 FX drama serves as a companion piece to his latest work, offering a comprehensive understanding of the tumultuous events that unfolded during that challenging period in Los Angeles’ history.

The People Vs O. J Simpson Sheds Light On Why The Menendez Case Was Potentially Treated The Way it Was

After the trials of the Menendez brothers ended inconclusively, their combined trial was scheduled for 1995. However, a stunning double murder in Los Angeles reignited racial tensions and diverted media attention away from the upcoming Menendez trial. In June 12, 1994, NFL player O.J Simpson is alleged to have murdered his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. This event was later dramatized in Ryan Murphy’s series, American Crime Story: The People vs O. J Simpson. The Menendez retrial was set for October 1995, coinciding with the conclusion of the Simpson case. O.J Simpson was found not guilty, a verdict that many viewed as a significant blow to the Menendez case.

The political climate within the DA’s office was tense following the acquittal of O.J. Simpson, and Gil Garcetti was seeking a notable victory. The Menendez brothers’ case presented an opportune scenario for them. The jury’s initial deadlock transformed into a unanimous guilty verdict, which raises the question: what caused this shift? The answer lies with O.J. Simpson himself. Similar to how the Rodney King beating paved the way for O.J. Simpson’s acquittal, the sensational trial and eventual acquittal of O.J. Simpson played a significant role in the subsequent conviction of the Menendez brothers. It’s a chain reaction, but it doesn’t mean the Menendez brothers didn’t deserve their punishment; they had brutally murdered their parents. However, they were undeniably subjected to harsher treatment due to the circumstances in Los Angeles at that time.

Key Timeline

• January 1994: Both juries deadlock and cannot come to a verdict in the Menendez trials.
• June 1994: O. J Simpson murders Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman
• October 1995: O. J Simpson is acquitted of the murders
• October 1995: A retrial of the Menendez Brothers begins, with one jury.
• March 1996: The jury convicts both brothers of first-degree murder.
• July 1996: The brothers are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Menendez Brothers Had Intriguing Links To O. J Simpson

In the series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” it’s shown that O.J. Simpson had a friendly relationship with the Menendez brothers, dating back to the 1970s. Interestingly, their connection stemmed from Jose Menendez, who arranged for O.J. to work on advertisements for Hertz rental cars. Furthermore, O.J. would often play catch and sign footballs for the young Menendez brothers. Later, around two decades later, all three of them found themselves in the Los Angeles County Men’s Jail, awaiting their respective trials.

O. J Simpson Key Facts

• After his acquittal, the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman won a civil case against him, and he was ordered to pay over $30 million in damages.
• Simpson wrote a book called ‘If I Did It’ which was a ‘hypothetical’ confession.
• He was convicted of armed robbery and sent to prison in 2008, but he was released on parole in 2017. He died in April 2024.

For more than four years, the Menendez brothers were imprisoned when the news broke about O.J. Simpson’s arrest for the brutal double murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Erik Menendez has expressed his belief that the Simpson case significantly influenced their trial verdict, a view shared by others. Now, the brothers are petitioning for a retrial, with a good chance of success due to the extensive media attention surrounding their case. Tragically, O.J. Simpson passed away in April 2024 at the age of 76.

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2024-10-10 03:04