About this season
Brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez are on trial for the August 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in the family’s Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers were arrested in March 1990 after Erik confessed during a session with his psychologist. During the highly publicized trial, the prosecution claimed the motive was greed as the brothers stood to inherit $14 million. The defense claimed that it was an act of self–defense in a desperate attempt to escape years of childhood family violence and sexual abuse.
Episodes (121)
1. Lyle Menendez Opening Statements
Aired 20 July 1993
The prosecution claims Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents to gain their parents $14 million inheritance.
2. Erik Menendez Opening Statements
The prosecution claims Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents to gain their parents $14 million inheritance. The defense contends the brothers acted in self-defense after suffering years of sexual abuse.
3. Christine Nye, Avrille Krom & Ofc. Michael Butkus
911 dispatcher Christine Nye, neighbor Avrille Krom & Beverly Hills police officer Michael Butkus take the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
4. Sgt. Kirk West, Bob Anderson & Richard Catalani
Beverly Hills police Sgt. Kirk West, charter boat cpt. Bob Anderson & criminalist Richard Catalani testify in the Menendez brothers' trial.
5. Det. Leslie Zoeller
Beverly Hills Police Detective Leslie Zoeller takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
6. Det. Thomas Edmonds
Beverly Hills Police Detective Sgt. Thomas Edmonds takes the stand. The jury hears interview tapes of the Menendez brothers.
7. Dep. Dwight Van Horn
Beverly Hills Deputy Dwight Van Horn takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial, showing the alleged murder weapon.
8. Perry Berman
The Menendez brothers' former tennis coach, Perry Berman, takes the stand.
9. OPJ: Craig Cignarelli
Craig Cignarelli takes the stand outside the presence of the jury.
10. Craig Cignarelli
Craig Cignarelli testifies that his former best friend confessed to killing his parents two days after the murders.
11. Donovan Goodreau
Donovan Goodreau, a friend of Lyle Menendez when he lived in N.J., takes the stand in the Menendez brothers murder trial.
12. Robert Rand, Richard Wenskoski & Glenn Stevens
Journalist Robert Rand, bodyguard Richard Wenskoski & Glenn Stevens, a former friend of Lyle Menendez, take the stand.
13. Glenn Stevens & Donovan Goodreau
Glenn Stevens and Donovan Goodreau, friends of Lyle Menendez, continue their testimony.
14. OPJ: Dr. Jerome Oziel
The judge and counsel discuss the testimony of Dr. Jerome Oziel, the therapist who recorded Erik's confession.
15. OPJ: Dr. Jerome Oziel (part 2)
The judge and counsel discuss the testimony of Dr. Jerome Oziel, the therapist who recorded Erik's confession.
16. Computer Expert Testimony
Multiple computer experts take the stand regarding the Menendez brothers' search for their Jose Menendez's will.
17. Dr. Irwin Golden
Deputy medical examiner Dr. Irwin Golden, who performed the autopsies on Jose and Kitty, takes the stand.
18. Dr. Irwin Golden PT2
Deputy medical examiner Dr. Irwin Golden, who performed the autopsies on Jose and Kitty, takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
19. Dr. Jerome Oziel
The brothers' therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, takes the stand. Oziel details Erik Menendez's murder confession.
20. Dr. Jerome Oziel PT2
The brothers' therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, continues his testimony. Dr. Oziel recorded Erik Menendez's confession to killing his parents.
21. Dr. Jerome Oziel PT3
The brothers' therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, continues his testimony. Dr. Oziel recorded Erik Menendez's confession to killing his parents.
22. Dr. Jerome Oziel PT4
The jury hears taped conversations between Dr. Jerome Oziel and his mistress, Judalon Smyth.
23. Dr. Jeffrey Lulow
Psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Lulow, who knew Dr. Jerome Oziel, takes the stand.
24. Dr. Jerome Oziel PT5
The jury hears taped conversations between Dr. Jerome Oziel and his mistress, Judalon Smyth.
25. Dr. Jerome Oziel PT6
The brothers' therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, continues his testimony. Dr. Oziel recorded Erik Menendez's confession to killing his parents.
26. Det. Leslie Zoeller
Lead Detective Leslie Zoeller is recalled to the stand in the Menendez brothers' murder trial.
27. Bradley Brunon, Henry Llanio & Stephen Goldberg
Bradley Brunon, Henry Llanio and Stephen Goldberg take the stand in the Menendez brothers' murder trial.
28. Valerie Hart, Det. Leslie Zoeller & Mark Heffernan
Real estate agent Valerie Hart, lead Detective Leslie Zoeller and Mark Heffernan, the Menendez brothers' tennis coach, take the stand.
29. Valerie Hart, Det. Leslie Zoeller & Marta Cano
Real estate Valerie Hart, lead Detective Leslie Zoeller & Marta Cano, the sister of Jose Menendez, take the stand. The prosecution rests their case against Erik Menendez.
30. Dr. John Briere
Clinical psychologist Dr. John Briere takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
31. Brian Andersen Jr
The Menendez brothers' cousin, Brian Andersen Jr., takes the stand.
32. Kathleen Simonton
Kathleen Simonton, the Menendez brothers' cousin, takes the stand.
33. Diane Vander Molen
The Menendez brothers' cousin, Diane Vander Molen, takes the stand.
34. Cynthia McPhee
Dr. Jerome Oziel's former lover and live-in babysitter, Cynthia McPhee, takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
35. Charles Wadlington & Meredith Geislerv
The Menendez brothers' former tennis coach, Charles Wadlington, and lifeguard, Meredith Geisler, take the stand.
36. Marianne Cano
The Menendez brothers' cousin, Marianne Cano, takes the stand.
37. Marta Cano
Jose Menendez's sister, Marta Cano, takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
38. Marta Cano PT2
Jose Menendez's sister, Marta Cano, takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
39. Witness Testimony
Stephen Nosner, Jessica Goldsmith, Robert Clouse, Patricia Cross & Faith Goldsmith take the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
40. William Kurtain, Alicia Hertz, Sandra Sharp & Charlene Elmore
Tennis coach William Kurtain, neighbor Alicia Hertz & teachers Sandra Sharp & Charlene Elmore take the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
41. Pamela LiCausi, Emmanuel Zlotolow & Teresita Baralt
Pamela LiCausi, Emmanuel Zlotolow & Jose Menendez's sister, Teresita Baralt, testify in the Menendez brothers' trial.
42. Teresita Baralt, Peter Cano, Janet Stoltzfus, Dr. Barbara Zussman & Kevin Whalen
Relatives of Jose Menendez, take the stand, followed by the Menendez brothers' teacher, and Kevin Whalen, a former friend of Erik Menendez.
43. Kevin Whalen & Kathleen Bulow-Cohen
Kevin Whalen, a former friend of Erik Menendez, continues his testimony, followed by Whalen's mother, Kathleen Bulow-Cohen.
44. Leslie Elmore, Barbara Howarth & Norman Pulse
Leslie Elmore, Barbara Howarth & Norman Pulse take the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
45. Skip Lowe, Katie Whalen & Douglas Doss
Skip Lowe, Katie Whalen & Douglas Doss take the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
46. OPJ: Lyle Menendez Testimony Hearing
The judge and counsel discuss defendant Lyle Menendez's testimony outside the presence of the jury.
47. Mary Theresa Dominguez
Mary Theresa Dominguez, the sister-in-law of the former owner of the Menendezs' Beverly Hills home, takes the stand.
48. Lyle Menendez
Defendant Lyle Menendez details the alleged sexual abuse he suffered from his parents.
49. Lyle Menendez PT2
Defendant Lyle Menendez continues his testimony, detailing allegations of abuse by his mother, Kitty Menendez.
50. Lyle Menendez PT3
Defendant Lyle Menendez continues his testimony.
51. Lyle Menendez PT4
Defendant Lyle Menendez continues his testimony, describing the day he and Erik confronted their father about the abuse.
52. Lyle Menendez PT5
Defendant Lyle Menendez continues his testimony.
53. Lyle Menendez PT6
The prosecution begins their cross examination of Lyle Menendez.
54. Lyle Menendez PT7
Defendant Lyle Menendez undergoes cross-examination.
55. Lyle Menendez PT8
Defendant Lyle Menendez continues his testimony.
56. Lyle Menendez PT9
Defendant Lyle Menendez concludes his testimony.
57. OPJ: Erik Menendez Testimony Hearing
The judge and counsel discuss defendant Erik Menendez's testimony.
58. Erik Menenedez
Defendant Erik Menendez begins his testimony.
59. Erik Menendez PT2
Defendant Erik Menendez continues his testimony.
60. Erik Menendez PT3
Defendant Erik Menendez continues his testimony, detailing how Lyle sought to protect him growing up.
61. Erik Menendez PT4
Defendant Erik Menendez continues his testimony
62. Erik Menendez PT5
Defendant Erik Menendez continues his testimony.
63. Erik Menendez PT6
Defendant Erik Menendez continues his testimony, describing how he and Lyle killed their parents.
64. Erik Menendez PT7
Defendant Erik Menendez undergoes cross-examination.
65. Erik Menendez PT8
Defendant Erik Menendez undergoes cross-examination.
66. Outside the Presence of the Jury
Counsel and the judge discuss trial proceedings outside the presence of the jury.
67. Erik Menendez PT9
Defendant Erik Menendez continues his testimony.
68. Witness Testimony
Donovan Goodreau, Tracy Baker, Marta Cano, Armando Lopez, Andres Cano & David Marovitch take the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
69. Dr. Ann Tyler
Psychologist Dr. Ann Tyler, who specializes in child abuse, takes the stand during the Menendez brothers' trial.
70. Dr. Ann Tyler PT2
Dr. Ann Tyler, who specializes in child abuse, continues her testimony in the Menendez brothers' trial.
71. Dr. Ann Tyler PT3
Dr. Ann Tyler, who specializes in child abuse, continues her testimony in the Menendez brothers' trial.
72. Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess
Psychiatric mental health nursing expert Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
73. Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess PT2
Psychiatric mental health nursing expert Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
74. Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess PT3
Psychiatric mental health nursing expert Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
75. OPJ: Dr. John Conte
Dr. John Conte, who interviewed Lyle Menendez, gives his testimony outside the presence of the jury.
76. Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess PT4
Psychiatric mental health nursing expert Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
77. Dr. Stuart Hart
Psychologist Dr. Stuart Hart, who specializes in child abuse, takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
78. Dr. John Conte
Dr. John Conte, who interviewed Lyle Menendez, takes the stand.
79. Outside the Presence of the Jury
Counsel and the judge discuss trial proceedings outside the presence of the jury.
80. Dr. John Conte PT2
Dr. John Conte, who interviewed Lyle Menendez, continues his testimony.
81. Joan Vander Molen & Patricia Andersen
Kitty Menendez's sister, Joan Vander Molen, and sister-in-law, Patricia Andersen, take the stand.
82. Carlos Baralt
The Menendez brothers' uncle Carlos Baralt takes the stand.
83. Witness Testimony
Pediatrician Dr. Kerry English, John Nickel & Edward Fenno, a former friend of Erik Menendez, take the stand.
84. Dr. Edwin Cox & Roger Smith
Kitty Menendez's therapist, Dr. Edwin Cox, and Roger Smith, who took over Jose Menendez's position at Live Entertainment, take the stand.
85. Det. Leslie Zoeller
Detective Leslie Zoeller is recalled to the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
86. Outside the Presence of the Jury
Counsel and the judge discuss trial proceedings outside the presence of the jury.
87. OPJ: Lyle Menendez Jury Instructions
Lyle Menendez's defense team and the prosecution discuss jury instructions.
88. The Menendez Confession Tapes
Dr. John Conte discusses the Menendez brothers' tapes with Dr. Jerome Oziel.
89. Judalon Smyth
Dr. Jerome Oziel's former mistress, who claimed to hear the Menendez brothers' confession to killing their parents, takes the stand.
90. Dr. Warden Emory & Judalon Smyth PT2
Dr. Warden Emory, a physician who saw Kitty Menendez, briefly takes the stand. Judalon Smyth continues her testimony.
91. Judalon Smyth PT3
Dr. Jerome Oziel's former mistress who claimed to hear the Menendez brothers' confession to killing their parents, takes the stand.
92. Outside the Presence of the Jury
Counsel and the judge discuss trial proceedings.
93. The Menendez Confession Tapes PT2
Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess discusses the Menendez brothers' confession tapes with Dr. Jerome Oziel.
94. The Menendez Confession Tapes PT3
Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess discusses the Menendez brothers' confession tapes with Dr. Jerome Oziel.
95. Cynthia Erdelyi
Private Investigator Cynthia Erdelyi takes the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
96. Witness Testimony
Former bodyguard Andrew Valentine, pool repairman Grant Walker & more witnesses take the stand in the Menendez brothers' trial.
97. Outside the Presence of the Jury
Counsel and the judge discuss trial proceedings outside the presence of the jury.
98. Flor de Maria Suria
Flor de Maria Suria, a former maid for the Menendez family, takes the stand.
99. Jamie Lee Pisarcik
Jamie Lee Pisarcik, Lyle Menendez's ex-girlfriend, takes the stand.
100. Brian Andersen
Kitty Menendez's brother takes the stand.
101. Pat Heffernan
Pat Heffernan, the wife of the Menendez brothers' tennis coach Mark Heffernan, takes the stand.
102. Brian Andersen & Marlene Eisenberg
Brian Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez, and Marlene Eisenberg, Jose Menendez's assistant, take the stand.
103. Brian Andersen, Karen Farrell, Marlene Eisenberg & Det. Les Zoeller
Brian Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez, and Karen Farrell, a longtime friend of Kitty, take the stand, followed by Jose Menendez's assistant, Marlene Eisenberg, and lead Detective Les Zoeller.
104. Guy DeLisio
Guy DeLisio, a former limo driver who picked up Erik Menendez, takes the stand.
105. Dr. William Vicary
Dr. William Vicary, Erik Menendez's psychiatrist who allegedly altered notes for the trial, takes the stand.
106. Witness Testimony
Detective Les Zoeller, Ann Ingraham, Virginia Valdry, Mark Slotkin, Mark Heffernan, and more testify in the Menendez brothers murder trial.
107. OPJ: Exhibits & Jury Instructions
Counsel and the judge discuss exhibits and jury instructions outside the presence of the jury.
108. OPJ: Erik Menendez Jury Instructions
Counsel and the judge discuss Erik Menendez's jury instructions outside the presence of the jury.
109. Lyle Menendez Prosecution Closing Arguments
Prosecutor Pamela Bozanich gives her closing argument in the case against Lyle Menendez.
110. Lyle Menendez Defense Closing Arguments
Defense attorney Michael Burt delivers his closing argument in the case against Lyle Menendez.
111. Lyle Menendez Defense Closing Arguments
Defense attorney Jill Lansing delivers her closing argument in the case against Lyle Menendez.
112. Lyle Menendez Prosecution Rebuttal
The prosecution delivers their rebuttal in the case against Lyle Menendez.
113. Erik Menendez Prosecution Closing Arguments
Prosecutor Lester Kuriyama delivers his closing argument in the case against Erik Menendez.
114. Erik Menendez Defense Closing Arguments
Defense attorney Leslie Abramson delivers her closing argument in the case against Erik Menendez.
115. Erik Menendez Defense Closing Arguments PT2
Defense attorney Leslie Abramson delivers her closing argument in the case against Erik Menendez
116. Erik Menendez Defense Closing Arguments PT3
Defense attorney Leslie Abramson delivers her closing argument in the case against Erik Menendez.
117. Erik Menendez Prosecution Rebuttal
Prosecutor Lester Kuriyama delivers his rebuttal in the case against Erik Menendez.
118. Erik Menendez Jury Deliberations
The jury requests multiple testimony readbacks in the case of CA v. Erik Menendez.
119. Erik Menendez Jury Deliberations PT2
The jury continues their deliberations in the case against Erik Menendez.
120. Lyle Menendez Jury Deliberations
The jury requests multiple testimony readbacks in the case of CA v. Lyle Menendez.
121. Retrial Hearing
Aired 28 January 1994
The judge and counsel discuss the Menendez brothers' second trial.