I don’t know how anyone could watch this and think he’s acting or making it all up. It’s really unfathomable to me, and I think speaks to a society that would rather shove their head in the sand than face that horrific stuff like this happens.
I don't understand how those people could listen to this and still sentence him the way they did. His eyes, his very body language shows truth. I'm not a body language person, but my instincts are telling me, my subconscious evolution says this is the truth by just looking at him.
As part of the testimony, the attorney has to ask specific questions in detail and it’s go to be broken down. The witness on the stand can only answer questions presented to them and cannot just go off and tell the story on their own.
My God, this is torture to have him retell this story on the stand like this. I know that it’s his own attorney asking the questions, but my point is, how can no one believe this to be true?!!!!! It’s pure torture for him and it’s clear!! What kind of justice system do we have?!! And then for this jury to be a hung jury and then the judge to throw out all of the sexual abuse in the retrial. Erik’s body language says it all! Help me understand this! The only other way that I can make sense of this is that I think maybe people might have believed it was true , but I think at the same time it was the norm that it was disgraceful and not right to attack the deceased victims character. I mean like, especially considering the fact the brutal way the victims were killed. I just think people didn’t want to hear it.
What a horrible miscarriage of justice. The father deserved worse than what he got. Everyone involved in sending these two to prison should be ashamed! What a sick disgusting freak his father was and his mother must have known that something was going on. Unbelievable!
It might feel that way but this lawyer is only trying to get across to the jurors that they didn't kill their parents because of money which is what the prosecution always stated. They got a mistrial because of this testimony. The prosecution decided to retry them without them being allowed to talk about the abuse at all and that's when the jury found both brothers guilty. So even though it's hard to hear if it was allowed in the 2nd trial it's possible they could be free today. Personally I think they deserve their freedom and I do believe them.
It’s surprising how strong they are being able to talk about this in public. I can’t imagine all the emotions they feel talking about this, let alone going through it. My heart breaks for these men and I hope they find the peace in their hearts they deserve.
I guess the medications helps.. in Eriks case for example, it calms you down and you become more "I dont care with others think", I think about my pain.
*It’s so disturbing and disgusting to hear this very detailed testimony.* 🤢🤮 *And all for what?! Lifetime imprisonment?! Jose is probably laughing in hell because up until now, he’s still winning against his sons.*
This is exactly what I keep saying! It’s just FRICKING insane that this happened on earth I just can’t accept it. This reminds me that human beings are terrible
The fact that the questions are coming from someone so ignorant, but yet the line of questioning shows how uneducated society was in the 80s/90s - referring to clear sexual assault as "the sex." Like just call it what it was. Sexual assault. Sexual coercion. Sexual abuse.
This is in fact his own attorney asking these questions, hence why shes being nicer than if she was on the other side. It still is absolutely horrifying they not only had to go through this but then had to relive every single milisecond of it in a packed court room.
It’s a way to connect with him so he doesn’t get triggered. The line of questioning is direct so he can focus on what he needs to say without overreacting. You can tell by his body language how he was having difficulty and took a break. He referred to it as the sex to get directly to the point instead of using filler words because that’s what it was also. It was clear it was sexual assault even rape. The woman wasn’t going to question him by saying specific things because they already knew what it was.
You can tell he is very traumatized by that monster father. The way he was recalling it and specific times that he told in detail, I fully believe him. Their mother was to much of a coward to stand up to Jose and save her boys from a lifetime of trauma and grief. It's sad that they had to ruin their own lives so they could finally be free from abuse.
I think they killed the mother because they felt betrayed that she never tried to stand up for them and let the father do these horrible things. The mother didn't have protective instincts towards her children which is really sad.
@@ShakhnozaKarimova-nh5un- They said that they found out she knew. She admitted to knowing what was going on all along one night when she was drunk. They saw them as the same person, one person, and so they killed them both.
It’s not sex! It’s rape! How horrific that these young men were put through this. No sympathy from the woman questioning him. They don’t deserve to be in jail.
I believe them. This is so sickening! Anyone who ACTUALLY did not go through such horrific rape and abuse cannot make these things up and tell in such details
Back then, if someone forced you to do sexual things but did it gently, people would downplay it by saying that since it wasn't violent, even if it wasn't consensual, it wasn't that serious. I'm not saying I agree with that! Quite the opposite, I find it disgusting, but I'm just pointing out that with the mindset of that time, it's not surprising they ended up in prison... If the trial happened today or in the last ten years, the verdict would have been completely different!
yes, but since so few people really unerstood and believed him, and the stupid judge who denied the sexual abuse being mentioned in the second trial which led to the choices of not guilty and first degree. They are already 40 years in prison.
It’s actually cathartic for him. A step towards getting the past hell out, like a confession. As effed up as that is. Many children go through this. A friend of mine said that once she told her father that he couldn’t stop her from growing up, he stopped raping her. She was 12. She couldn’t remember a time he didn’t rape her from being a baby.
I remember this case on tv when I was a child. Never understood some terms, but i knew they were not in the wrong. Now, as an almost 37 yr old with children and re'watching this case, these men deserve freedom.
@@helenpauline7 I was wondering about his own childhood. Maybe it was an inter-generational sickness. Just tragic, and I hope the brothers get released.
@SMKovalinsky I heard in a documentary that he was sexually abused by his mother so it seems like a generational pattern. That saying Hurt people hurt people "
As someone who was also a victim as a kid, I 100% believe these brothers. I can’t imagine how they must feel having to describe everything they went through- having to relive those nightmares. They are brave for this.
Most women do nothing when their husbands or boyfriends are accused of atrocities. They’re broken. A man like Jose Menendez would never have married a woman who would do something. That’s how it works.
The fact that he calls it sex instead of getting raped is telling in itself. When I was SA at 8 years old, I didn’t testify in court. I was too scared, and I didn’t want to see him ever again, I didn’t want him to ever see me again, I didn’t want to give that to him satisfaction. For Erik to stand trial, be confronted with these questions, in Front of a jury and peers, recorded and put on the internet nearly 30 years later.. I feel so bad for them.
I feel so badly for you and what happened to you! 😢 So sorry for you in every way. 😢 May you have peace ☮️ and be surrounded by love and happiness. You deserve these very things. ❤🥺💕
I could feel he was about to pass out before asking for a break.. me listening to him I am horrified just by listening.. I can’t imagine what it is like for him cuz he experienced that horror .. I pray they get released real soon.. something needs to be done to free them!!!
There could’ve been bias and resentment from the jury and public due to their wealthy upbringing. Also the boys’ shopping lavish sprees after killing their parents could’ve been perceived as not having remorse. Same sex esp incest sexual abuse wasn’t understood as well in the 80’s and 90’s versus now. The jury and public could’ve discriminated the boys by not acknowledging they were victims of sexual incest abuse. Many comedy shows mocked the boys’ credibility regarding their testimonies in court.
Their first trial included these sexual abuse testimonies but the judge and a prosecutor wouldn’t allow this information in the 2nd trial so the jury didn’t know anything about the SA
@@maggiemay0328 What was their stated basis for not allowing all the evidence in the 2nd trial when it was the crux foundation to why the brothers killed their parents? And how was that even legal to prevent critical evidence?
@ I had to do some research. I found that info here on UA-cam but I would guess if you do a google search it would point you in the right direction. I do know that times were different in the late 80’s to early 90’s regarding sexual abuse of a boy/man. A lot of ignorance and denial back then.
This breaks my heart. How can you hurt your kids like this? It's horrible, I would give my life away for my baby, I don't let no one hurt my kid, this is so sad.
OMG! The fact that he feels so much guilt and shame that he even describe him "being nice" while abusing/raping him is heart breaking!!! His body language is also so sad and broken. No, they really should not be at prison, not kidding here. They lost their childhood already, they deserve to live their life without disturbing their peace. I pray for them. 🙏🏼
I was married to an abusive husband for many years and when I had to finally admit to what I had endured and tell friends and relatives and ultimately domestic violence counselors it was unbelievably degrading and so terribly difficult. I can’t explain why exactly. Even to this moment whenever I tell my story I feel myself reliving the abuse. I find it so traumatic. Exhausting. Triggering . Soul-destroying. Horrible.
How IN THE WORLD did that jury vote these guys guilty of first degree murder after listening to these horrible testimonies!! Anyone of them would had done the same thing to their parents if they had sexually abused them during their entire childhood!!
how strong you are to be in that stand, remembering those horrific experiences with a monster, yes he is not your father, he is a monster. he is not worthy to be a father. how sick is that man to do that to his children if he had considered you guys his sons. i am crying my heart in silence as i think about the things that happened. how disgusting, and i can feel like throwing up myself with your story. gosh! May God heal your wounds, heal your soul. sooo painful to hear.
Absolutely heartbreaking. Can't even watch. Abused their whole childhood then abused all over again by the court system. Beyond horrific. Praying for their release🙏
Yes. I wouldn't be surprised if those Menendez Brothers were free so they could go to their parents cemetery and scream you broke me you broke me you broke me. OMG😱
Erik Menendez is clearly traumatized by what that MONSTER 👿 of a Father did to him. Abuse is abuse… Sexual Abuse/Rape/Molestation/Physical Abuse Forever sticks with you & changes the trajectory of your life. As a Childhood Sexual Abuse/Physical Abuse Survivor myself I feel For both Erik & Lyle they’ve both suffered tremendously & deserve to be “ SET FREE” . How much Trauma /Abuse can one take ? The Mother Kitty was just as sick as the Husband especially after learning that the Dad violated the son she was complicit . Both Erik & Lyle went thru some Horrific Sh*t !!! My heart breaks 💔 & aches for any child who’s had to endure Sexual/Physical abuse by the hands of a parent or Loved one. US Survivors have a story & we aren’t our PAST, PAIN OR TRAUMA!!!
To be honest this is why I don't want to pursue legal action against my rapist. It's a lot of my word against his. It's not entirely cut and dry but it is rape. I never wanted what my rapist did to me for 5 years. I felt so ugly and disposable. I didn't behave rationally during those 5 years. I have no idea how I kept the jobs I had because they were stressful and hard. Being shared with his cousin like I was just a meaningless object was degrading. I believe the Menendez brothers. I have felt the anguish and despair that they've experienced their whole growing up. I was molested as a child and my molester's girlfriend never told my parents and both behaved like it didn't happen. I hid it for years. I used to have awful nightmares reliving the event but I'd wake up and gaslight myself into believing I made it up. But deep down I knew it did but I was scared to tell anyone. I was only 5 or 6 when it happened and the girlfriend did nothing to help me so I thought I did something wrong. None of this came out until 2020. I never thought this would happen to me as a child. I denied myself freedom for so long until I finally hit my breaking point and realized I was seriously thinking about taking my own life and how I could do it. That's when I realized that it was literally killing me. I'm so fortunate MY parents believed me and responded by getting me into trauma therapy. I'm going back to trauma therapy because I still have unresolved trauma responses to normal life. The Menendez brothers deserve to receive the same trauma therapy. They should never have been put in jail. Jail is NO place for a rape survivor.
I am so sorry for what you endured. It was NOT your fault. YOU are the innocent party. Please find it in your heart to believe me, you matter and you are worth it 🩷
I just realized that this was the guy who managed the band "Menudo". It is well know that those boys were abused, including Ricky Martin. These brothers were telling the truth. Anyone that does not believe it has their head in the sand. They have served their time, now let some justice be done in giving them freedom.
WHYYYYY was there NO outcry from the Public??!! No Protest for these poor Men to be let out of prison?! No Shock & Horror for them & Justice?! WHY are they still in prison?! 😢😢😭😭💔💔💔
Lyle looked down in shame and regret 1:14 when his brother said I did it to myself so it wouldn’t hurt. I almost started crying when he looked down cause he regretted not saving him and that he was being hurt
This is so disturbing to listen...imagine going through this and saying this in front of a huge crowd in the courtroom and in front of national tv...just heartbreaking...
It’s so sad. It’s so heart breaking to hear that the people who are suppose to love and protect you are the ones harming you. The system was so unfair with these two. I feel like the court was not fare and did not believe them. I know murder is a sin and you should go to jail if you do it but at the same time where is there justice? They were abused since kids no-one protected them they felt that what they did was the only way to stop the abuse. How do you what is the right action and sentence in cases like this? Its terrible what happened to them.
She’s the defense attorney she has to get the testimony out of him . There lives hung in the balance . I am not sure if asking in any other way could be convincing . It makes you feel sorry for them she is brilliant .
I am deeply sorry for these guys, raped from a young age, tormented by two monsters, and further marginalized by society. No doubt they committed a crime, and for that reason justice was served, but not for life.
The courts should truly consider the mental state of victims under questioning. This is re-traumatizing and so disrespectful to victims. There has to be a better way!
The Judge in the second trial, needs to be placed under judgement himself for the miscarriage of justice these young men received. Time to "Judge the Judges" ..
Eric said that many of the things he had to testify in court about were new to Lyle. Both were traumatized by each other's accounts of their individual abuse. The only good to come out of what happened to them is that this trial made more people aware of male abuse. Because they were able to get professional help before and after the trial they have been able to subsequently help many prisoners and other people who write to them get some healing. During the 35 years they have been in prison they have started mental health groups and even a hospice type group for dying prisoners. Lyle refused to get involved in any fighting in prison and was removed out of general population for awhile. Both Erik and Lyle have grown into very wonderful people and deserve to have their freedom.
It is disgusting that two boys whose father was a rapist and abused Erik have spent so many years in jail for trying to protect themselves from their rapist father...let them out
His father was a full on evil man. Apparently Jose's mother knew something had happened to Jose during his upbringing. If so he became a monster. But Erik & Lyle are good men despite these horrors.
I believe both Eric and Lyle deserve their freedom. What they went through as children was appalling, and I believe them. They have too many details to be lying.
Those questions are just CRUEL AND INHUMANE! Don’t call it “sex”, it’s RAPE only RAPE!
the only reason they called it sex was because erik was uncomfortable with the words rape and would often experience mental breakdowns
Erik was tortured by his father. Pray for healing and Justice.
Praying❤🙏🙏
Yes. Only God could provide healing to this horrific situation
How José didn't get penis cancer🔪
Amen 🙏 🥺💔
Jesus Christ, abused at home, abused during sports events, abused in court. Let these men out of jail! This is horrific!
And after all that, prison was no picnic either! My heart breaks for them!!💔💔💔💔
FREE THEM!!!
They were never abused I don’t believe this circus
Were you abused too? 😢@@Nataliegggggg
@@NatalieggggggYou act like you were actually there to know that these (2) brothers weren't sexually abused. 🙄
Well that not what others are saying now, also other people are coming forward now saying that their father raped them also @@Nataliegggggg
These kids should never be in prison.
Grown men
I AGREE WITH YOU .
They werent kids when they killed. Plenty of people leave not go back out to vehicle to reload and go back
@@soxpeewee You want to condem them just think of the trauma they went through.
Kid? They were mid 20s when they did the crime.
I don’t know how anyone could watch this and think he’s acting or making it all up. It’s really unfathomable to me, and I think speaks to a society that would rather shove their head in the sand than face that horrific stuff like this happens.
Completely agreed with you! Exactly!.... Jesus he is so honest. 😢 I come to tears😢
Exactly
It’s so evil and horrible that people don’t want to believe it’s real but sadly it happens.
Apparently, this type of activity is very prevalent in Cuba according to people who've escaped.
I don't understand how those people could listen to this and still sentence him the way they did. His eyes, his very body language shows truth. I'm not a body language person, but my instincts are telling me, my subconscious evolution says this is the truth by just looking at him.
I believe him.
Me too 😞
same
Me too. Doesn’t excuse what they did but sure would explain the hate.
1000%!!
Me too . Cause I been threw that for 6 years from my stepdad u am a woman I can’t imagine coming from your dad :(
I don’t understand why they need to be questioned about every little rape detail. It’s so cruel.
Testimony! That is how a trial works .
Its mainly the defense attorney attempting to show the jury the cruelty
As part of the testimony, the attorney has to ask specific questions in detail and it’s go to be broken down. The witness on the stand can only answer questions presented to them and cannot just go off and tell the story on their own.
My God, this is torture to have him retell this story on the stand like this. I know that it’s his own attorney asking the questions, but my point is, how can no one believe this to be true?!!!!! It’s pure torture for him and it’s clear!! What kind of justice system do we have?!! And then for this jury to be a hung jury and then the judge to throw out all of the sexual abuse in the retrial. Erik’s body language says it all! Help me understand this! The only other way that I can make sense of this is that I think maybe people might have believed it was true , but I think at the same time it was the norm that it was disgraceful and not right to attack the deceased victims character. I mean like, especially considering the fact the brutal way the victims were killed. I just think people didn’t want to hear it.
@@christinao8877 that’s what coming forward is.
This is so horrific. They needed therapy and help from the system, instead of just jail for life.
What a horrible miscarriage of justice.
The father deserved worse than what he got. Everyone involved in sending these two to prison should be ashamed!
What a sick disgusting freak his father was and his mother must have
known that something was going on.
Unbelievable!
His mother should have protected them.
She was involved and it involved sex 😢 she was a monster too.
The second judge who barred evidence of the sexual abuse was protecting abusers everywhere. Suspicious.
So did the Mom....she knew and did it to them as well!! Sick F**ks!!
These poor boys should never have gone to prison
That’s like saying that women who kill their abusive fathers, husbands or boyfriends should have never gone to jail either.
I feel like they are assaulting him with questions. This feels wrong. I feel so bad for these two brothers.
It might feel that way but this lawyer is only trying to get across to the jurors that they didn't kill their parents because of money which is what the prosecution always stated. They got a mistrial because of this testimony. The prosecution decided to retry them without them being allowed to talk about the abuse at all and that's when the jury found both brothers guilty. So even though it's hard to hear if it was allowed in the 2nd trial it's possible they could be free today. Personally I think they deserve their freedom and I do believe them.
@@the-finn
Me too! I can't finish watching this garbage. Whats with these questions, over and over again. 😔
Yes, he is being doubly intimidated. You are definitely right. You must be a very sensible person. Thanks! I felt the same.
@@the-finn I didn’t know all that. Whatever gets them free I guess. Thank you for breaking it down for me☺️
The hurt and pain in his eyes is heartbreaking.
It’s surprising how strong they are being able to talk about this in public. I can’t imagine all the emotions they feel talking about this, let alone going through it. My heart breaks for these men and I hope they find the peace in their hearts they deserve.
I couldn’t
I guess the medications helps.. in Eriks case for example, it calms you down and you become more "I dont care with others think", I think about my pain.
You can hear his sighs. Those are the sighs of an anxiety attack.
Erick was Terribly abuse 😢 by Jose . Justice for him and Lyle enough for them ,set them free .
You can tell how hard it is for him to discuss this. It’s taking a lot of energy.
*It’s so disturbing and disgusting to hear this very detailed testimony.* 🤢🤮 *And all for what?! Lifetime imprisonment?! Jose is probably laughing in hell because up until now, he’s still winning against his sons.*
Exactly!!! The freaking system failed them!
@@LipayCoolay The court system is terrible. So bad they believed my rat brother's tears.
Unfortunately you are right….
This is exactly what I keep saying! It’s just FRICKING insane that this happened on earth I just can’t accept it. This reminds me that human beings are terrible
The father did this with the mother downstairs...
I find it absolutely INSANE that the public focuses on the kids and not the ACT OF TORTURE
This is so hard for him to talk about
The fact that the questions are coming from someone so ignorant, but yet the line of questioning shows how uneducated society was in the 80s/90s - referring to clear sexual assault as "the sex." Like just call it what it was. Sexual assault. Sexual coercion. Sexual abuse.
Fucking wrong what there getting put through. Your right the examiners are so cold... breaks My heart wish I'd not watched it now x
This is in fact his own attorney asking these questions, hence why shes being nicer than if she was on the other side. It still is absolutely horrifying they not only had to go through this but then had to relive every single milisecond of it in a packed court room.
It’s a way to connect with him so he doesn’t get triggered. The line of questioning is direct so he can focus on what he needs to say without overreacting. You can tell by his body language how he was having difficulty and took a break. He referred to it as the sex to get directly to the point instead of using filler words because that’s what it was also. It was clear it was sexual assault even rape. The woman wasn’t going to question him by saying specific things because they already knew what it was.
@@jeremykarwoski6913 to use the word "sex" was to seem as if it was agreed between the two of them.. oldest trick in the book so sad
Actually Leslie loved them she would adopt them
You can tell he is very traumatized by that monster father. The way he was recalling it and specific times that he told in detail, I fully believe him. Their mother was to much of a coward to stand up to Jose and save her boys from a lifetime of trauma and grief. It's sad that they had to ruin their own lives so they could finally be free from abuse.
the mother wasnt a coward, she knew everything. she was enabling it.
@@meowspltNot even enabling she SAed lyle very possesive of him while giving deadline to erik for getting a gf
I think they killed the mother because they felt betrayed that she never tried to stand up for them and let the father do these horrible things.
The mother didn't have protective instincts towards her children which is really sad.
@@Panderer3521right…at the same time telling him how much she hates him….that woman was just sick…..poor Lyle…
@@ShakhnozaKarimova-nh5un- They said that they found out she knew. She admitted to knowing what was going on all along one night when she was drunk. They saw them as the same person, one person, and so they killed them both.
It’s not sex! It’s rape! How horrific that these young men were put through this. No sympathy from the woman questioning him. They don’t deserve to be in jail.
The woman questioning him was his defense lawyer.
I don't like the way she questioned him at all.
To me, she acted more like the prosecutor.
I actually don't think it made the outcome for her clients good. It actually did more harm.
The judge banned the word because Erik would often break down when he heard or said it.
This was so hard to listen to. Absolutely heartbreaking.
He was literally having a panic attack right before the questions about the first "rough" encounter started. How can you not believe him.
He is acting
@@damakier6621no one is that good of an actor
If he was give him an oscar.
@@damakier6621Wrong. Even a body language expert concluded that he was telling the truth.
@@franceslovato9842 the psyhopaths ard perfect actors. Youre wrong.
To describe such graphic sexual abuse in a packed courtroom that was being televised….my god.
I believe them. This is so sickening! Anyone who ACTUALLY did not go through such horrific rape and abuse cannot make these things up and tell in such details
Agreed 100%
His father was never "nice" about the "sex"....he was r@ping his own son. This line of questioning is sickening.
That’s the way Erik put it Leslie was just using his analogy
According to what I heard he was quite trigger by certain words regarding the abuse
@@theinvisibleme4104 that makes more sense, thanks!
@@sillylilkoala Men are truthfully natural born predators. It takes good parents to raise boys well.
Back then, if someone forced you to do sexual things but did it gently, people would downplay it by saying that since it wasn't violent, even if it wasn't consensual, it wasn't that serious. I'm not saying I agree with that! Quite the opposite, I find it disgusting, but I'm just pointing out that with the mindset of that time, it's not surprising they ended up in prison... If the trial happened today or in the last ten years, the verdict would have been completely different!
Gosh I feel so heartbroken for Eric having to go through these invasive questions and that the whole world gets to see this 😢
yes, but since so few people really unerstood and believed him, and the stupid judge who denied the sexual abuse being mentioned in the second trial which led to the choices of not guilty and first degree. They are already 40 years in prison.
Agreed. That judge made a massive mistake making that decision.
It’s actually cathartic for him. A step towards getting the past hell out, like a confession. As effed up as that is. Many children go through this. A friend of mine said that once she told her father that he couldn’t stop her from growing up, he stopped raping her. She was 12. She couldn’t remember a time he didn’t rape her from being a baby.
35 years, enough is enough let them go free, this is so sad.
I feel horrible for his situation... you can see how broken poor Eric is
Poor Eric , please free these boys ..
I remember this case on tv when I was a child. Never understood some terms, but i knew they were not in the wrong. Now, as an almost 37 yr old with children and re'watching this case, these men deserve freedom.
How did a jury decide they belonged in prison? Shameful 😢.
They need to be free
What kind of a father would do this to his own child? It is beyond comprehension.
A very sick person. He must have been abused himself, but no excuse. Disgusting monster of a "father"
@@helenpauline7 I was wondering about his own childhood. Maybe it was an inter-generational sickness. Just tragic, and I hope the brothers get released.
@SMKovalinsky I heard in a documentary that he was sexually abused by his mother so it seems like a generational pattern. That saying Hurt people hurt people "
@@helenpauline7 That’s truly tragic. At least it’s stopped now.
The entire family was having inappropriate incestual relations with one another. It’s nauseating
LET THESE MEN OUT OF PRISON! THESE PARENTS WERE MONSTERS.
As someone who was also a victim as a kid, I 100% believe these brothers. I can’t imagine how they must feel having to describe everything they went through- having to relive those nightmares. They are brave for this.
These brothers were further raped by the court
...then more than likely raped sexually for how much longer. Heartbreaking. A lifetime of being raped.
It absolute disgusts me that they refer to the r word of these young men , as sex!!!!
Many people have said that they used the word sex instead of rape because it triggered Erik
I dint think lawyers were allowed to call it rape back then . At the very least she should call it abuse. Jesus Help these poor men❤
Exactly, it’s torture😱
That woman is unbelievably hard and unfeeling, shame on her
It is RAPE, not sex, not the "r" word. It is RAPE and it is a crime and no euphemism is going to change that
His Father took out all of his anger and frustrations out on Erik. He was a monster!
How cruel a person be to sexually assault a child?
Why did the mother do nothing???
Most women do nothing when their husbands or boyfriends are accused of atrocities.
They’re broken.
A man like Jose Menendez would never have married a woman who would do something.
That’s how it works.
She was sexually assaulting Lyle too so she was just as bad
@@nataliaalfonso2662thankyou! such insight!!😮
The fact that he calls it sex instead of getting raped is telling in itself. When I was SA at 8 years old, I didn’t testify in court. I was too scared, and I didn’t want to see him ever again, I didn’t want him to ever see me again, I didn’t want to give that to him satisfaction. For Erik to stand trial, be confronted with these questions, in Front of a jury and peers, recorded and put on the internet nearly 30 years later.. I feel so bad for them.
I feel so badly for you and what happened to you! 😢
So sorry for you in every way. 😢
May you have peace ☮️ and be surrounded by love and happiness. You deserve these very things. ❤🥺💕
Listening to this made my stomach twist. This is a rough account to listen through. A father failing his son is beyond sad.
This wasn't sex it was rape
I could feel he was about to pass out before asking for a break.. me listening to him I am horrified just by listening.. I can’t imagine what it is like for him cuz he experienced that horror .. I pray they get released real soon.. something needs to be done to free them!!!
Having to re-live all the details on the stand is a whole other layer of trauma.
It's so very painful to watch and hear. This is 😥 tragic.
I believe him, some people should never be parents
This was rape, not sex! Why didn't the lawyer say 'rape'? His dad was evil. These brothers need to be released, or at least a new trial!
Why tf did the justice system not help this poor man ??
There could’ve been bias and resentment from the jury and public due to their wealthy upbringing. Also the boys’ shopping lavish sprees after killing their parents could’ve been perceived as not having remorse. Same sex esp incest sexual abuse wasn’t understood as well in the 80’s and 90’s versus now. The jury and public could’ve discriminated the boys by not acknowledging they were victims of sexual incest abuse. Many comedy shows mocked the boys’ credibility regarding their testimonies in court.
Their first trial included these sexual abuse testimonies but the judge and a prosecutor wouldn’t allow this information in the 2nd trial so the jury didn’t know anything about the SA
@@maggiemay0328 What was their stated basis for not allowing all the evidence in the 2nd trial when it was the crux foundation to why the brothers killed their parents? And how was that even legal to prevent critical evidence?
@ I had to do some research. I found that info here on UA-cam but I would guess if you do a google search it would point you in the right direction. I do know that times were different in the late 80’s to early 90’s regarding sexual abuse of a boy/man. A lot of ignorance and denial back then.
This is so disgusting to hear!!! That demon is in hell where he belongs!!! 🤬😡🤬
I can’t belive they are still locked up x
This is going to bring out alot ptsd in people thats experienced this kind of abuse.
This breaks my heart. How can you hurt your kids like this? It's horrible, I would give my life away for my baby, I don't let no one hurt my kid, this is so sad.
I’m speechless and horrified. He was raped and tortured, then thrown in jail . . . Damn this is upsetting.
You can tell how innocent they are.. poor boys
No one can fake so much...hours and hours of testimony detailing incidences cannot be fake...i beleive them... Free the Menendez brothers..
Their dad was a sick bastard! He should have been in jail!!!
Well said,
No,he was a demon
OMG! The fact that he feels so much guilt and shame that he even describe him "being nice" while abusing/raping him is heart breaking!!! His body language is also so sad and broken. No, they really should not be at prison, not kidding here. They lost their childhood already, they deserve to live their life without disturbing their peace. I pray for them. 🙏🏼
What a Pedophile!!! Disgusting. Poor Erik. This is terrifying .😢😢
This is so horrific; these boys went through so much SA and it brings me to tears every time I watch these videos! 😢 It’s time to set them free!
For god's sake how can they be so cruel with the questions, bless them.
THEY HAVE TO ASK THOSE ARE U STUPID
There are too many cowards in power. Nobody should have convicted these young men. Horrific.
Why were they referring to it as sex? It’s not sex…it’s molestation. Sad they went into explicit detail and no one believed them. 😢
Society wasn't ready to accept the reality of this 'molestation and incest' until after like year 2000
I was married to an abusive husband for many years and when I had to finally admit to what I had endured and tell friends and relatives and ultimately domestic violence counselors it was unbelievably degrading and so terribly difficult. I can’t explain why exactly. Even to this moment whenever I tell my story I feel myself reliving the abuse. I find it so traumatic. Exhausting. Triggering . Soul-destroying. Horrible.
Jose was so evil 👿
How IN THE WORLD did that jury vote these guys guilty of first degree murder after listening to these horrible testimonies!! Anyone of them would had done the same thing to their parents if they had sexually abused them during their entire childhood!!
They didn't. The jury was deadlocked and it was a mistral. They were found guilty at the 2nd trial and the sexual abuse wasn't admissible in court.
how strong you are to be in that stand, remembering those horrific experiences with a monster, yes he is not your father, he is a monster. he is not worthy to be a father. how sick is that man to do that to his children if he had considered you guys his sons. i am crying my heart in silence as i think about the things that happened. how disgusting, and i can feel like throwing up myself with your story. gosh! May God heal your wounds, heal your soul. sooo painful to hear.
I hate that they had to RElive this nightmare that was their life in front of the entire world on record.
Absolutely heartbreaking. Can't even watch. Abused their whole childhood then abused all over again by the court system. Beyond horrific. Praying for their release🙏
This is so horrible poor kids having to deal with this I feel sick..
Yes. I wouldn't be surprised if those Menendez Brothers were free so they could go to their parents cemetery and scream you broke me you broke me you broke me. OMG😱
Erik Menendez is clearly traumatized by what that MONSTER 👿 of a Father did to him. Abuse is abuse… Sexual Abuse/Rape/Molestation/Physical Abuse Forever sticks with you & changes the trajectory of your life. As a Childhood Sexual Abuse/Physical Abuse Survivor myself I feel
For both Erik & Lyle they’ve both suffered tremendously & deserve to be “ SET FREE” . How much Trauma /Abuse can one take ? The Mother Kitty was just as sick as the Husband especially after learning that the Dad violated the son she was complicit . Both Erik & Lyle went thru some Horrific Sh*t !!! My heart breaks 💔 & aches for any child who’s had to endure Sexual/Physical abuse by the hands of a parent or Loved one. US Survivors have a story & we aren’t our PAST, PAIN OR TRAUMA!!!
I feel like sexual abuse of a child by their own parent is the worst of all. Because it’s so unnatural and confusing
Free these two guys already!! I’m so disgusted in their sick father! What a monster!!!
To be honest this is why I don't want to pursue legal action against my rapist. It's a lot of my word against his. It's not entirely cut and dry but it is rape. I never wanted what my rapist did to me for 5 years. I felt so ugly and disposable. I didn't behave rationally during those 5 years. I have no idea how I kept the jobs I had because they were stressful and hard. Being shared with his cousin like I was just a meaningless object was degrading. I believe the Menendez brothers. I have felt the anguish and despair that they've experienced their whole growing up. I was molested as a child and my molester's girlfriend never told my parents and both behaved like it didn't happen. I hid it for years. I used to have awful nightmares reliving the event but I'd wake up and gaslight myself into believing I made it up. But deep down I knew it did but I was scared to tell anyone. I was only 5 or 6 when it happened and the girlfriend did nothing to help me so I thought I did something wrong. None of this came out until 2020. I never thought this would happen to me as a child. I denied myself freedom for so long until I finally hit my breaking point and realized I was seriously thinking about taking my own life and how I could do it. That's when I realized that it was literally killing me. I'm so fortunate MY parents believed me and responded by getting me into trauma therapy. I'm going back to trauma therapy because I still have unresolved trauma responses to normal life. The Menendez brothers deserve to receive the same trauma therapy. They should never have been put in jail. Jail is NO place for a rape survivor.
I am so immensely sorry...sending you loads of love and hugs 🙏🌻
What a brave human you are, only God can heal your heart, soul, mind and make you new person 😊
I'm so sorry for what happened to you! May God protect you and give you all the strength and love you need to heal! 💐❤
I am so sorry for what you endured. It was NOT your fault. YOU are the innocent party. Please find it in your heart to believe me, you matter and you are worth it 🩷
He is in so much pain and traumetized 😢
I just realized that this was the guy who managed the band "Menudo". It is well know that those boys were abused, including Ricky Martin. These brothers were telling the truth. Anyone that does not believe it has their head in the sand. They have served their time, now let some justice be done in giving them freedom.
why was all this abuse not allowed to be presented in court??
WHYYYYY was there NO outcry from the Public??!! No Protest for these poor Men to be let out of prison?! No Shock & Horror for them & Justice?! WHY are they still in prison?! 😢😢😭😭💔💔💔
Lyle looked down in shame and regret 1:14 when his brother said I did it to myself so it wouldn’t hurt. I almost started crying when he looked down cause he regretted not saving him and that he was being hurt
I'd be unable to answer. Feels wrong watching them relive the disgusting acts
Erik suffered abuse and controlling behaviors until he was 18 as well.
This is so disturbing to listen...imagine going through this and saying this in front of a huge crowd in the courtroom and in front of national tv...just heartbreaking...
It’s so sad. It’s so heart breaking to hear that the people who are suppose to love and protect you are the ones harming you. The system was so unfair with these two. I feel like the court was not fare and did not believe them. I know murder is a sin and you should go to jail if you do it but at the same time where is there justice? They were abused since kids no-one protected them they felt that what they did was the only way to stop the abuse. How do you what is the right action and sentence in cases like this? Its terrible what happened to them.
TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE. ABUSED AND BETRAYED BY THEIR PARENTS AND THEN AGAIN BY THE "JUSTICE" SYSTEM!!! THEY DESERVE TO BE FREE!!!!
How could you give them life in prison after hearing all this
No wonder his parents were shot by Lyle and Erik from all the abuse! This is so absurd!
She’s the defense attorney she has to get the testimony out of him . There lives hung in the balance . I am not sure if asking in any other way could be convincing . It makes you feel sorry for them she is brilliant .
I am deeply sorry for these guys, raped from a young age, tormented by two monsters, and further marginalized by society.
No doubt they committed a crime, and for that reason justice was served, but not for life.
Man I can't even watched it without having a break, imagine how Erik feels 😢
The courts should truly consider the mental state of victims under questioning. This is re-traumatizing and so disrespectful to victims. There has to be a better way!
Man is speaking the truth
The Judge in the second trial, needs to be placed under judgement himself for the miscarriage of justice these young men received. Time to "Judge the Judges" ..
100
Eric said that many of the things he had to testify in court about were new to Lyle. Both were traumatized by each other's accounts of their individual abuse. The only good to come out of what happened to them is that this trial made more people aware of male abuse. Because they were able to get professional help before and after the trial they have been able to subsequently help many prisoners and other people who write to them get some healing. During the 35 years they have been in prison they have started mental health groups and even a hospice type group for dying prisoners. Lyle refused to get involved in any fighting in prison and was removed out of general population for awhile. Both Erik and Lyle have grown into very wonderful people and deserve to have their freedom.
I’ve watched these two for years before the recent Netflix series, I always believed the abuse was real. The details were so graphic to be made up. 😢
It is disgusting that two boys whose father was a rapist and abused Erik have spent so many years in jail for trying to protect themselves from their rapist father...let them out
This poor beautiful man ❤
His father was a full on evil man. Apparently Jose's mother knew something had happened to Jose during his upbringing. If so he became a monster. But Erik & Lyle are good men despite these horrors.
This poor man. Praying for him and his brother. This is too much for anyone to have to endure especially by the hands of your father
Free them !! My God 😢
They lost there last appeal a few weeks ago and it makes me sick
Someone needs to judge the 12 jurors instead.
I agree
Agreed!
This evidence wasn't allowed to be admitted in the trial that convicted them. Blame that judge. This testimony is from the first trial.
Yes
I believe both Eric and Lyle deserve their freedom. What they went through as children was appalling, and I believe them. They have too many details to be lying.
Those parents were absolutely disgusting 🤮.!!. Abuse is NOT okay!!
I feel so sad to this two brothers😢,,we are not here to judge them,but to pray for them,to heal and to understand what they experienced their past,,😢
I hate our court system