You might have seen their faces trending all over social media. After Netflix released a Ryan Murphy-produced TV show about one of the most notable murder cases, people across the country are demanding for the release of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who, in 1989, killed both of their parents in their Beverly Hills home. 

In August of 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez shot and killed their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez. Jose Menendez was a powerful Hollywood producer so this case quickly found the spotlight. (Ding, 2024)

During the trial, the brothers’ defense team alleged that Jose had been sexually abusing his two sons since they were children. Though the Menendez brothers were able to evade the death penalty, they were sentenced to life in prison as there was no substantial evidence proving the abuse.

In 2015, a letter that Erik had written to his uncle explaining the abuse months prior to the murders came to the surface and raised questions of a retrial. In 2018, Roy Rossello a former member of Menudo, a music band that was represented by a record label Jose was the head of, came forward and stated he was drugged and raped by Jose when he was a teenager. This was the final piece of evidence needed for the brothers to file for habeas corpus in May of 2023. (Ding, 2024)

The Menendez brothers resentencing which was supposed to take place Dec.11 has been pushed back until Jan. 30 to give the new district attorney more time to review the case . If approved for resentencing, it will be passed off to the parole board for approval. California Gov. Gavin Newsom then has the final say on reviewing the decision. 

Students on the Corvallis campus gave their opinions on the Menendez brothers’ case. 

Eloise Smith, first-year mechanical engineering major

“There was a trend on TikTok, during COVID, where everyone started becoming obsessed with killers. … I remember edits being made,” Smith said.

“It doesn’t seem like a very clear-cut situation … neither side was in the right because (the Menendez brothers) were (allegedly) being abused and then they’re responsible for killing (their parents).”

Addison Johnson, first-year biology major

“If it was for the money, (killers) always mess up at some point. … There’s always something that happens after, a letter they wrote, a text they sent,” Johnson said. 

Johnson believes there was no hard proof the brothers may have committed the murder for personal gain. 

Johnson said Erik and Lyle Menendez deserve to go through some therapy or institution because of the abuse they say they went through. 

Ted Pelster, first-year marketing major

“It’s been so long, they could totally be completely different people (now),” Pelster said. 

Rose Langen Swartzendruber, first-year kinesiology major

“It is super hard to speak out and say that (the abuse happened), especially because they’re in jail and (being accused of) murdering. But under what circumstances?” Langen Swartzendruber said. 

“I don’t think it’s just or fair that they’re in prison.” Langen Swartzendruber stated.

Alora Gudge, first-year biohealth sciences major

“If this is a case where you’re being abused for a long period of time, it’s still murder but I don’t think it can be classified as life in prison, premeditated murder. I feel like it would be more under crime of passion, self defense,” Gudge said.

“Mandated therapy (would be helpful), not necessarily  from them being psychotic but just because they’ve gone through a lot of trauma,” Gudge said. 

Avery Mannix, second-year kinesiology major

 “I don’t know which side to believe,” Mannix said. “The case itself is just about finding the true victims.”

“I feel bad for the brothers because they may have been in a situation where they felt the only way out is violence,” Mannix said.