Current:Home > NewsErik Menendez's Attorney Speaks Out on Ryan Murphy's Monsters Show -WealthMindset Learning
Erik Menendez's Attorney Speaks Out on Ryan Murphy's Monsters Show
View
Date:2025-04-11 22:48:23
Erik Menendez’s longtime attorney is speaking out amid the success of Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix drama.
While Leslie Abramson—who represented Erik in the 1990s when he and his brother, Lyle Menendez, were tried for the 1989 murder of their parents—is depicted as one of the brothers’ most staunch defenders in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the retired defense attorney revealed she had no desire to watch the series.
“That piece of s--t I heard about? No,” she said in a video published by Entertainment Tonight Oct. 9. “I don’t watch any of those.”
“I will make no comments about my client,” she added. “None whatsoever.”
The 81-year-old—who is played by Ari Graynor in the anthology series—said she also opted not to watch the previous dramatization of the case, 2017’s Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, in which she’s portrayed by Edie Falco. (The actress later received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for the role.)
Leslie did, however, give a written statement about the brothers—who are both serving life sentences without parole—in the new documentary The Menendez Brothers, also streaming on Netflix.
“30 years is a long time,” she said in an email shown in the doc. “I’d like to leave the past in the past. No amount of media, nor teenage petitions will alter the fate of these clients. Only the court can do that and they have ruled.”
The release of Monsters helped fuel renewed interest in the brothers’ case, as social media users have called for their convictions to be overturned. Most recently, they’ve zeroed in on the emergence of potential new evidence which could support the brothers’ allegation of physical and sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez.
Kim Kardashian, who visited the Menendezes at their San Diego prison in September, wrote in an essay published by NBC News that the brothers deserve a new trial.
“I have spent time with Lyle and Erik; they are not monsters,” the Kardashians star said in the op-ed. “They are kind, intelligent, and honest men.”
“I don’t believe that spending their entire natural lives incarcerated was the right punishment for this complex case,” she added. “Had this crime been committed and trialed today, I believe the outcome would have been dramatically different.”
Cooper Koch, who played the role of Erik in Monsters and accompanied Kim on her visit, also spoke out in support of the brothers.
“They committed the crime when they were 18 and 21 years old,” he told Variety last month, “and at the time, it was really hard for people to believe that male-on-male sexual abuse could occur, especially with father and son.”
He continued, “I really do hope that they are able to get paroled and have an amazing rest of their lives.”
E! News has reached out to lawyers for Erik and Lyle Menendez for comment but hasn’t heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (5)
Related
- The seven biggest college football quarterback competitions include Michigan, Ohio State
- Oklahoma towns hard hit by tornadoes begin long cleanup after 4 killed in weekend storms
- Who wants to be a millionaire? How your IRA can help you get there
- Clayton MacRae: When will the Fed cuts Again
- What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
- Andrew Tate's trial on rape and human trafficking charges can begin, Romania court rules
- United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans and other issues at General Conference
- Hong Kong transgender activist gets ID card reflecting gender change after yearslong legal battle
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Spain’s Prime Minister Sánchez says he’ll continue in office after days of reflection
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Kim Kardashian Debuts Icy Blonde Hair Transformation
- Affluent Americans are driving US economy and likely delaying need for Fed rate cuts
- 4 dead in Oklahoma as tornadoes, storms blast Midwest; more severe weather looms
- Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
- New York Rangers sweep Washington Capitals, advance to second round of NHL playoffs
- Charging bear attacks karate practitioner in Japan: I thought I should make my move or else I will be killed
- Demi Lovato's Chic Hair Transformation Is Cool for the Summer
Recommendation
Bet365 ordered to refund $519K to customers who it paid less than they were entitled on sports bets
Israeli officials concerned about possible ICC arrest warrants as pressure mounts over war in Gaza
Antisemitism is rampant. Campus protests aren't helping things. | The Excerpt
Denny Hamlin edges Kyle Larson at Dover for third NASCAR Cup Series win of 2024
Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
Joel Embiid peeved by influx of Knicks fans in Philly, calls infiltration 'not OK'
With the 2024 NFL draft in the rearview mirror, these 6 teams have big needs to address
From a sunbathing gator to a rare bird sighting, see this week's top wildlife photos