Netflix Menendez Doc Director Says Brothers Will not Focus on Chance of Freedom: (Unique)

Their homicide case is among the most notorious in U.S. historical past, so Lyle and Erik Menendez had a lot to debate.

Over the course of 5 months beginning in 2022, Lyle, 56, and Erik, 53, spent greater than 20 hours opening as much as director Alejandro Hartmann for the brand new Netflix documentary, The Menendez Brothers, streaming Oct. 7.

In a sequence of recorded cellphone conversations from California’s Donovan Correctional Facility, the place they’re each incarcerated, the brothers spoke to Hartmann about every part — from rising up in Beverly Hills with a hard-driving father who they accuse of sexually abusing them to how horrified they are saying they felt after gunning down their dad and mom in 1989.

One subject neither brother needed to debate was the potential for a retrial.

“Erik did not wish to discuss that as a result of he does not wish to have false expectations,” says Hartmann.

Convicted of first-degree homicide in 1996 after a 1993 mistrial, the brothers had been sentenced to life in jail with out parole.

Over time, they’ve tried to enchantment their convictions with out success.

Although they’re in jail, the brothers have been within the information currently due to the Ryan Murphy-directed true crime drama, Monsters, additionally streaming on Netflix.

On Thursday, Oct. 3, L.A. County District Lawyer George Gascon held a press convention asserting that his workplace is reviewing potential new proof of the sexual abuse the brothers allege and that their sentencing may very well be re-evaluated.

At first, Erik didn’t wish to take part within the documentary, however Lyle, who hasn’t spoken publicly since he and Eric sat down with Barbara Walters for a televised interview in June 1996, agreed to speak to him.

“I believe he appreciated that I wasn’t American,” says Hartmann, who’s Argentinian. “He thought that I wasn’t to be so biased.

He provides: “I believe that possibly after 30 years of not speaking, it was possibly time.”

Their conversations started in April 2022 “like a chat,” says Hartmann, who has directed different Netflix documentaries, together with The Photographer: Homicide in Pinamar, in 2022.

“We started speaking about life. The World Cup was coming. Lyle actually likes soccer. So do I. We started speaking increasingly and it turned an interview, ultimately,” he says.

Months into their talks, Lyle advised Erik he ought to discuss to Hartmann, who had gained Lyle’s belief. “Finally Erik mentioned sure,” says Hartmann, who started speaking to him in November 2022.

Brothers Have Completely different Personalities: Director

Like many siblings, the brothers have distinct personalities, he says. “Lyle was raised to be the golden boy, the successor of his father,” says Hartmann. “Erik was way more shy, extra linked to the mom.”

“Generally you’re feeling Lyle is making an attempt to be in command of the state of affairs,” he says. “Erik was extra open to speak straight about issues.”

Each, he says, “are very deep considering individuals. Very clever, I loved speaking to them. Though we went by very onerous elements of tales they advised me, I loved speaking with them.”

That included detailing the alleged sexual abuse by their father and the way they declare their mom ignored it. “They advised me about massive depressions, very onerous moments throughout their incarceration,” he says.

Lately, Lyle retains busy with initiatives to enhance the lives of prisoners, together with beginning a program to convey cats and canine to the jail.

“Lyle actually likes to work with different individuals,” he says. “Erik is extra centered on his personal spirituality. He meditates. He found artwork.”

He believes the each remorse killing their dad and mom.

“I believe that most likely day by day they consider what occurred,” he says. 

The Menendez Brothers airs on Netflix on Oct. 7.

Should you or somebody you realize has been a sufferer of sexual abuse, textual content “STRENGTH” to the Disaster Textual content Line at 741-741 to be linked to a licensed disaster counselor.