Brad Milkey
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
I don't know what's going on. How old are you? You should get a lawyer. You have no idea how those people hurt this girl.
35 years after the gruesome double murder that gripped the nation, the Menendez brothers are back in the spotlight and fighting for their freedom. But it's not just what you know, it's who you know and who you can get on your side. Over the last couple weeks, that's all changing. Welcome to the crime scene. I'm Brad Milkey. I host ABC's daily news podcast, Start Here.
35 years after the gruesome double murder that gripped the nation, the Menendez brothers are back in the spotlight and fighting for their freedom. But it's not just what you know, it's who you know and who you can get on your side. Over the last couple weeks, that's all changing. Welcome to the crime scene. I'm Brad Milkey. I host ABC's daily news podcast, Start Here.
And every week, we're bringing you the latest on what's big and what's new in the true crime scene. This week, we're talking to ABC chief national correspondent Matt Gutman, who's based in L.A. and has been following this case for years. He's with us now. Hey, Matt. Hey, Brad.
And every week, we're bringing you the latest on what's big and what's new in the true crime scene. This week, we're talking to ABC chief national correspondent Matt Gutman, who's based in L.A. and has been following this case for years. He's with us now. Hey, Matt. Hey, Brad.
Before we get into the recent news, I just want to revisit some important details here, because I grew up in Southern California, Matt. Like, I grew up on the OJ trial, the Tupac killing, and yet this still remains one of the most infamous double murders of its day. So Lyle and Eric Menendez, 18 and 21, gunned down and killed their parents, Jose Menendez and Kitty Menendez in Beverly Hills.
Before we get into the recent news, I just want to revisit some important details here, because I grew up in Southern California, Matt. Like, I grew up on the OJ trial, the Tupac killing, and yet this still remains one of the most infamous double murders of its day. So Lyle and Eric Menendez, 18 and 21, gunned down and killed their parents, Jose Menendez and Kitty Menendez in Beverly Hills.
That's not in dispute, right? They were convicted of murdering their parents. Can you take us back to that time? What was life like for this family?
That's not in dispute, right? They were convicted of murdering their parents. Can you take us back to that time? What was life like for this family?
And so in 1993, their trials began. I think they were tried separately at the time, right? They both pleaded not guilty. What was the claim they were making?
And so in 1993, their trials began. I think they were tried separately at the time, right? They both pleaded not guilty. What was the claim they were making?
Well, and speaking of this moment, this was also the beginning of cameras in courtrooms, as we now know them. And there was footage from this trial that ABC has. And in fact, here's a clip of Lyle Menendez on the stand talking about what, again, at this moment was sort of earth shattering for us to hear. So let's listen to that.
Well, and speaking of this moment, this was also the beginning of cameras in courtrooms, as we now know them. And there was footage from this trial that ABC has. And in fact, here's a clip of Lyle Menendez on the stand talking about what, again, at this moment was sort of earth shattering for us to hear. So let's listen to that.
What was the reaction to that, Matt?
What was the reaction to that, Matt?
You said imperfect self-defense. What does that mean? Because this isn't a question of whether or not they killed their parents, right? Like at this point, they have admitted, yes, we committed this very grotesque act, but they're saying it's not murder because it was self-defense. What is the argument they're making here?