Ryan Murphy has hinted at the possibility of creating more episodes for the series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” following a new court hearing that will discuss the case of the Menendez brothers. The Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascón, announced on Thursday that the case of the Menendez brothers will be reviewed at a court hearing scheduled for November this year.
The latest addition to Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series, “Monsters,” features Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez in the roles of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents. The series has sparked renewed interest in the case, particularly as new evidence has emerged suggesting the brothers may have been victims of sexual abuse by their father. The brothers have contended that they should have been tried for manslaughter rather than murder, which could result in a significant reduction in their sentences.
After pressure mounted to re-examine their case, Gascón stated that his office is evaluating the potential new evidence put forward in petitions submitted by the brothers last year. This new information will be discussed at the upcoming hearing scheduled for November 26.
Ryan Murphy, in a conversation with Variety’s Marc Malkin, expressed his interest in potentially creating one or two additional episodes to continue the Menendez brothers’ story if actors Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch are on board. The series creator highlighted the impact of television, noting how it can illuminate previously unseen aspects of a case and generate public interest.
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, who has been a vocal advocate for prison reform, have also shown support for the Menendez brothers. Kardashian, in an essay for NBC News, emphasised that the brothers are not “monsters” and highlighted the importance of shedding light on their situation.
Despite criticisms from Erik Menendez about the series being a “dishonest portrayal,” Ryan Murphy believes that the attention the show garnered potentially influenced Gascón’s decision to review the case. Murphy firmly believes that the brothers could be released from prison as soon as Christmas if the court rules in their favour. Gascón, however, has cautioned that the outcome remains uncertain until a final decision is reached.
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is currently available for streaming on Netflix, drawing widespread attention to the controversial case and sparking discussions about justice and fairness in the legal system.