The Menendez murders occurred on August 20, 1989, in Beverly Hills, California, when Lyle and Erik burst into the study of their family home and shot and killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, as they watched TV.
Jose, the head of RCA Records, was shot multiple times, including outright in the head, while Kitty, 47, suffered 15 gunshot wounds, including one to the face.
The brothers claimed the murders followed years of sexual abuse by their father, Jose, an allegation they say was overlooked by their mother, Kitty.
However, prosecutors argued that the motive behind the killings was rooted in greed, as evidenced by the brothers’ lavish spending after the murders — including luxury purchases such as expensive watches, cars and tennis lessons.