Erik Menendez was one of the Menendez brothers who shot and killed their parents inside their home. Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, John McClellan, who visited the mansion in 1989, has accused the new show of “presenting their story untruthfully.”
Joseph Menendez, whose middle name is Lyle, and his brother Eric shot and killed their parents, Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez. They were convicted of murder in 1996 and given life sentences, but have recently sought reductions in their sentences.
“They believed they had created a caricature of Lyle that was rooted in the egregious and blatant lies that permeated the show, and that they had risen above Lyle's lies and destructive characterization. I can only believe they did so on purpose. I wholeheartedly submit that Ryan Murphy could not without malicious intent be so ignorant and inaccurate about the facts of our lives,” Eric said in a statement posted to X by his wife, Tammi Menendez.
“The Menendez Brothers,” a show featuring interviews with both brothers, will premiere on Netflix on October 7. A press release for the film promises to “offer an alternative perspective from the brothers themselves.”
The Menendez Brothers: Monsters or Misunderstood?
Erik and Lyle Menendez listen during their trial in the 1990s. (Ted Sokki/Sigma)
The show will also explore the brothers' allegations that they were sexually assaulted by their father.
But it seems at least one of the brothers wasn't happy with the final product.
Lyle Menendez, who shot and killed his parents with his brother, reveals life plan after prison in new appeal
The Menendez brothers, Eric on the left and Lyle on the right, stand on the steps of their Beverly Hills home in November 1989. (Ronald L. Soble/Los Angeles Times)
“I am saddened to learn that Netflix's disingenuous portrayal of the tragedy surrounding our crimes has taken the painful truth several steps back, returning us to a time when prosecutors constructed their stories based on the belief system that men are not sexually abused and that men experience the trauma of rape differently than women,” Eric said in a statement shared by Tammy.
“These vile lies have been refuted and exposed over the past two decades by countless brave victims who overcame personal shame to speak out. And now Murphy is fabricating that horrific story through his vile, appalling character studies and demoralizing smears against Lyle and me.”
WATCH: Menendez brothers' lawyers make new allegations
Eric added:[l]The truth remains the truth.”
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“How disheartening that one man in a position of power can undermine progress shining a light on decades of childhood trauma,” he continued in his statement. “Violence is never the answer or the solution – it is always the tragedy. So I never want anyone to forget that violence against children creates hundreds of horrific, silent crime scenes that hide behind the glitter and glamour, and rarely surface until the tragedy has seeped through for all involved. I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who have reached out and supported me.”
The brothers' lawyers argue they should have been convicted of manslaughter rather than murder, in which case the brothers would have been released from prison already.
Fox News' Michael Lewis contributed to this report.
