Erik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez are wanting ahead to a brand new listening to of their homicide case — however what do their lives presently appear like in jail?

The brothers have been arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree homicide after their mother and father — José and Kitty — have been discovered shot to dying of their dwelling. Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 on the time of the murders and after two trials, they have been sentenced to life with out parole. Lyle and Erik have maintained that their mom and father have been bodily, emotionally and sexually abusive forward of their deaths.

Whereas initially remaining in the identical jail, Erik and Lyle have been transferred after their sentencing. They reunited in 2018 once they have been moved into the identical housing unit at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

Their case acquired renewed help in September 2024 after changing into the main focus of Ryan Murphy‘s Monsters sequence. Regardless of Erik publicly slamming the scripted present, he met with Cooper Koch, who performed him on display.

“They’ve accomplished a lot superb work in jail. Erik teaches meditation. He teaches speech courses. They’re each unbelievable individuals,” Koch instructed The Hollywood Reporter in September 2024. “I believe again then, individuals simply didn’t consider that sexual abuse between males was one thing that you can consider and the better capsule to swallow was that they killed their mother and father for cash. However now, after a lot time, I believe individuals are extra open to understanding that one thing like that did occur.”

Koch added: “In reality, the warden instructed me himself that he appears like he’d be comfortable to have them as his neighbors and that he could be snug letting them watch his youngsters. I believe that claims quite a bit!”

With help from Koch — and reality-star-turned-prison-reform-activist Kim Kardashian — Los Angeles District Lawyer George Gascón introduced in October 2024 {that a} listening to has been set attributable to new proof.

Maintain scrolling for perception into Erik and Lyle’s day-to-day lives in jail:

Previous Points

Erik mirrored on his adjustment to life behind bars, telling Individuals in 2005, “The cell I stay in is tiny … about 6′ by 4′. Two individuals stay within the cell. The cell is so small that just one individual will be up off the bunks at a time. There’s a commode and a sink.”

It was arduous for him to regulate to the “violent noises” in jail.

“It is rather troublesome to stay with. It at all times impacts you. And you must maintain to your personal enterprise,” he famous. “There is likely to be 300 to 400 individuals within the yard at a time and at any second a battle may escape. Previously month, two inmates have been murdered. You need to avoid the yard bullies.”

Erik revealed he was bullied when he was initially sentenced. “You need to stand as much as them, however on the similar time you must be extraordinarily respectful. You need to know learn how to apologize. After 15 years, I’ve realized the lingo on learn how to be a prisoner,” he continued. “I’ve gotten into fights … many fights. However I by no means battle first. You need to study to be sensible. There’s a perpetual state of concern that exists as background noise. You at all times have to pay attention to who’s round you. You need to regularly hone your survival instincts.”

He concluded: “The 2 issues that make jail so terrible are the extent of violence and the dearth of hope and love. What the jail can do to us terrifies me.”

Associated: What Does ‘Monsters‘ Get Fallacious About Erik and Lyle Menendez‘s Homicide Case?

Netflix’s Monsters sequence is dealing with backlash for the way it depicted Lyle Menéndez and Erik Menéndez — particularly inaccurate particulars in regards to the occasions main as much as their homicide case. The restricted sequence, which was launched on September 19, centered round Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch), who have been convicted for the 1989 homicide of […]

Present Examples of Enchancment

In a press release to Biography.com in September 2024, the California Division of Corrections & Rehabilitation provided an replace on Erik and Lyle’s conduct, writing, “Throughout his incarceration, Erik Menendez has incurred two severe guidelines violations. Joseph [Lyle] Menendez has incurred no guidelines violations.”

Erik and Lyle’s good conduct paved the way in which for them to stay in a “non-designated programming facility” at Donovan. The unit is called Echo Yard, which permits inmates extra freedom, rehabilitative and academic programming. These alternatives embrace yoga, artwork courses and extra.

In a uncommon interview, Erik gave an instance of his day-to-day schedule, telling Individuals in 2005 once more, “I rise up at 6 a.m. At 6:20 I’ve breakfast. I meditate at 6:50. Beginning at 7:30 I learn and write in my journal. We’ll both have a morning yard time beginning at 9:30 or a day yard time beginning at 2:00 p.m. At two o’clock I begin my job. I’ll attempt to name [wife] Tammi [Menéndez] within the afternoon. I’ll then work till 8:00 p.m. At 9:00 p.m. we’re locked down. I typically fall asleep round 10:30 p.m.”

Guidelines for Contacting Beloved Ones

The brothers are categorized as Group A prisoners, which permits them most privileges that include receiving visits and to make calls. Legal guidelines have been handed lately that made phone calls free for inmates and their households.

In 2021, California began to offer prisoners with tablets. It took two years for Donovan inmates to benefit from the chance and you will need to word that the gadgets don’t have entry to social media or web browsers. The tablets are largely used to learn information supplies and keep in touch with family members via electronic mail, video calls and textual content messages.

Potential Extracurriculars

Echo Yard is taken into account an experimental a part of the jail that’s much less restrictive. The unit operates exterior of “regular jail guidelines,” in keeping with reporting from the San Diego Union-Tribune. Echo Yard permits inmates to participate in inventive applications, training and help teams for individuals with anger administration or substance abuse points.

The prisoners can take programs reminiscent of sufferer consciousness, cash administration and job looking methods. There’s a yoga program, which permits prisons to earn a 10-day discount of their sentence for each 52 hours of program participation. Rehabilitative Achievement Credit may provide inmates as a lot as 40 days taken off their sentences yearly.

Donovan has a prisoner-published month-to-month newspaper and artwork courses as properly. Lyle and Erik have notably taken benefit of Mission Paint once they helped paint a 1,000-foot lengthy mural at Echo Yard in 2020.

Elsewhere at Echo Yard, inmates might help increase service canine and future information canine. Donovan additionally held a commencement ceremony for the primary time in 2024 after almost two dozen inmates acquired levels via Inspiring Futures Via Academic Levels.

Associated: Who Are the Menendez Brothers Married to Whereas They‘re in Jail for Life?

Ted Soqui/Sygma through Getty Photos Erik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez each discovered companions whereas serving out their particular person life sentences following a high-profile homicide case. The Menéndez brothers have been arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree homicide after their mother and father — José and Kitty — have been discovered shot to dying of their dwelling. Two […]

Restrictions on Conjugal Visits

Erik has been married to spouse Tammi since 1999 after they met through letter correspondences. Lyle, in the meantime, exchanged vows with Anna Eriksson in 1996 however they divorced 5 years later. He later discovered love with Rebecca Sneed they usually acquired married in 2003.

Prisons in California allow conjugal visits however prisons serving life sentences with out parole are banned from such privileges. The legislation was modified in 2016 however since Erik and Lyle dedicated a violent offense in opposition to a member of the family, they nonetheless aren’t eligible for the household visits.

“Not having intercourse in my life is troublesome, however it’s not an issue for me. I’ve to be emotionally connected, and I’m emotionally connected to Erik,” Tammi instructed Individuals in 2005. “My household doesn’t perceive. When it began to get severe, a few of them simply threw up their arms.”

Lyle additionally provided a glimpse into this marriage to Rebecca, telling the outlet in 2017, “Our interplay tends to be very freed from distractions and we most likely have extra intimate conversations than most married spouses do, who’re distracted by life’s occasions.”

He concluded: “We attempt to discuss on the cellphone day-after-day, generally a number of occasions a day. I’ve a really regular, concerned marriage and that helps maintain me and brings quite a lot of peace and pleasure. It’s a counter to the unpredictable, very disturbing setting right here.”

Garth Brooks was accused of sexual assault and battery and the lawsuit options some surprising claims.

Information broke on Thursday, October 3, that Brooks, 62, was named in paperwork filed by a “Jane Roe.” The lawsuit accused the nation celebrity of raping a lady who used to work as a hairstylist and make-up artist for him and his spouse, Trisha Yearwood. In accordance with the paperwork obtained by Us Weekly, the alleged incidents occurred in 2019 and Brooks beforehand tried to dam the claims from going public. (CNN was first to interrupt the information.)

An legal professional for Roe advised Us in a press release that Brooks’ alleged “efforts to silence our consumer by way of the submitting of a preemptive grievance in Mississippi was nothing aside from an act of desperation and tried intimidation.”

The assertion continued: “We’re assured that Brooks will probably be held accountable for his actions. We applaud our consumer’s braveness in transferring ahead together with her grievance towards Garth Brooks. The grievance filed right this moment demonstrates that sexual predators exist not solely in company America, Hollywood and within the rap and rock and roll industries but in addition on the planet of nation music.”

Associated: Hollywood‘s Sexual Misconduct Scandals

Whereas Hollywood could seem like all glitz and glam on the floor, the trade has seen its fair proportion of scandals by way of the years. The New York Instances and the New Yorker first revealed investigative items in 2017 that accused disgruntled film producer Harvey Weinstein of a long time of sexual assault and harassment. Quickly after, Weinstein stood trial and was […]

Brooks’ authorized group addressed the allegations when he beforehand tried to anonymously block Roe from repeating her allegations.

“Defendant’s allegations will not be true,” his submitting claimed. “Defendant is properly conscious, nonetheless, of the substantial, irreparable injury such false allegations would do to Plaintiff’s well-earned fame as an honest and caring particular person, together with the unavoidable injury to his household and the irreparable injury to his profession and livelihood that may consequence if she made good on her risk to ‘publicly file’ her fabricated lawsuit.”

The court docket paperwork claimed Jane Roe began to do Brooks’ hair and supplied make-up companies beginning in 2017. She beforehand labored for his spouse beginning in 1999.

Brooks and Yearwood, 60, met within the ’80s however didn’t begin courting till 2000. (He was married to ex-wife Sandy Mahl till their 1999 separation and their divorce was finalized two years later.)

Maintain scrolling for a breakdown of probably the most surprising claims talked about within the lawsuit:

The Alleged Assault

Roe detailed a 2019 incident when Brooks raped her in a resort room throughout a piece journey. She recalled Brocks was taping a Grammys tribute efficiency, which is why he traveled to Los Angeles together with her as his worker however solely booked one resort room.

“Often there have been others on Brooks’ personal jet, however this time Ms. Roe and Brooks have been the one two passengers,” the submitting claimed. “As soon as in Los Angeles on the resort, Ms. Roe couldn’t consider that Brooks had booked a resort suite with one bed room and she or he didn’t have a separate room.”

Indecent Publicity and Groping

Along with sexual assault and battery, the lawsuit accused Brooks of repeatedly exposing his genitals and buttocks to Jane Roe, and claimed he would repeatedly change his clothes in entrance of her.

The unnamed lady claimed an incident befell in 2019 when she was at Brooks’ dwelling for work. He allegedly walked out of the bathe bare and “grabbed her fingers and compelled them” onto his genitals whereas chatting with her with sexually specific and vulgar language.

Associated: Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood‘s Relationship Timeline

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are one of many nation music’s most well-known {couples}, however they’ve undoubtedly had their ups and downs. “Folks thought, ‘Effectively, two celebrities who’re in the identical enterprise, they received’t final,’” Yearwood completely advised Us Weekly in 2018. “I’m invested on this household, that is what I would like for myself […]

The Alleged Threesome Fantasy

Roe claimed that after Brooks sexually assaulted her, he continued to talk about his sexual fantasies and would bodily grope her. The grievance famous “repeated remarks” from Brooks about “having a threesome” along with his spouse.

Specific Texts

The paperwork additionally made reference to sexually specific textual content messages that have been despatched to Roe from Brooks wherein he would talk about intercourse and share his sexual fantasies.

Makes an attempt to Block the Accusations From Going Public

In accordance with the submitting, Brooks beforehand tried to dam Roe from publicly repeating her allegations. He denied the claims in a earlier grievance he had filed as a “John Doe,” which had him listed as an nameless superstar plaintiff.

Us Weekly has reached out to Brooks and Yearwood for remark.