Erik Menendez

The younger of the Menendez brothers, Erik grew up in the shadow not only of his domineering, controlling father, Jose Menendez, but of his older brother, Lyle Menendez. As did Lyle, Erik endured having his every action, acquaintance, activity and even thoughts micromanaged by his father. He was occasionally subject to high-pressure Q & A sessions during dinner, but not to the extent that Lyle was and he and his father weren't close. He was closer to his mother, Kitty Menendez, and endured her dramatic mood swings. Sensitive and shy, the pressure took a toll on him and he developed stomach pains, stuttering and habitual teeth-grinding. Feeling rejected by Jose, Erik found solace from Lyle, whom he adored and bragged to friends about. His school grades were only slightly above average and he didn't have many friends. Upon graduating from high school, Erik had wanted to attend college out of state, but Lyle's troubles at Princeton caused his parents to overrule it. Like Lyle, Erik became increasingly frustrated by his parents' domineering manner and tense home life. In the process, he and a close friend wrote a screenplay about a teenager who murders his wealthy parents for the inheritance. He showed it to Lyle, who at some point decided to carry the plot out in real life, and convinced Erik to participate. On August 20, 1989, Erik and Lyle killed their parents with a shotgun in their living room. Erik was in a highly emotional state when the police showed up, and they called off the questioning. Soon afterwards both brothers went on a lavish spending spree, arousing the suspicion of the police, and they were eventually arrested and charged with the murders. In the ensuing trial, Erik and Lyle's accusations of horrific abuse made headlines around the world and resulted in a hung jury. In the second trial they were found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.