MENENDEZ BROTHERS: CAN SEXUAL ABUSE EXONERATE MURDER OF PARENTS?

On a cold summer night in August 1989, millionaire Hollywood executive, Josè Menendez and his wife, Kitty Menendez were murdered by their 2 sons, Lyle and Erik Menendez aged 21 and 19 years, respectively. At first, both boys called the police, claiming they walked in on the bodies of their dead parents after a night out at the theatre. Josè and Kitty Menendez were brutally shot multiple times with shotguns, Josè’s head was almost completely severed from his body and his brain matter splashed all over the rug in their sitting room. No one could have ever imagined their two sons would be behind such an act, especially considering the passion involved in the murders.

People became suspicious when the boys started spending lavishly, the money their both parents had left behind only days after their death. They purchased expensive Rolex watches, a Porsche and even a restaurant. The cat was let out of the bag when Erik Menendez eventually confessed to his therapist, Dr Jerome Oziel. Dr Oziel  in turn relayed this information to his mistress and also recorded tapes of his session with the brothers. His mistress who was heartbroken after her break up with Dr Oziel, informed the police about the brothers involvement in the murders of their parents. Both boys were arrested and held separately without bail in Los Angeles County Jail. 

This is the story of one of America’s infamous murder cases which was recently adapted into a movie and documentary on Netflix. On the surface, this seemed like a story of two privileged boys who killed their parents just to have access to wealth. The real story began to slowly unfold in court. While both defendants admitted to the murder of their parents, they pleaded self-defence. Through their testimony and the testimonies of other witnesses, Lyle and Erik Menedez brought to light the dark sinister events that took place in their family, especially between their father Josè and them (the boys). They explained to the world that their father was not just physically abusive but also a pervert who started sexually assaulting his sons at the ages of 6 and 5. Their mother whom they expressed as completely emotionally dependent on their father, was aware of what was going on between the father and her sons but did nothing to stop him or protect them. According to them, they killed their parents because they both feared for their lives after Lyle confronted his father about molesting his young brother Erik and Josè threatened them. Although the “excuse of abuse” did not exonerate them from the consequences of the crime they committed, since they were sentenced to life in prison without parole, today there is a growing social media movement demanding the freedom of the Menendez Brothers. This story aims to highlight the link between sexual abuse and mental health while bringing to light the motivation behind violent responses to abuse.

It is no longer news that cases of sexual abuse often lead to various mental health issues including:

1. Trauma: sexual abuse is a traumatic experience that tends to leave lasting imprints on the state of the survivor’s mental health. Survivors may experience symptoms of PTSD such as flashbacks, nightmares and hypervigilance which in turn makes it difficult for them to function in everyday life.

2. Dissociation: In response to trauma, some survivors may detach from reality which can prompt them to act irrationally.

3. Anger: It is not rocket science that a survivor of sexual abuse will feel intense aggression towards their abusers and sometimes towards themselves. This anger leads them to either self-harm, suicide or violence against their abuser.

All of the above can make it difficult for abuse survivors to reason or think irrationally and opt for violent means or reactions, especially towards their abusers. In the Nigerian society, where mental health issues aren’t given the attention they deserve, coupled with the culture that makes it difficult for young people to speak up against authority figures who tend to be their abusers, especially when the abuse is perpetrated by family members. There is absolutely no doubt our society can be viewed as an abusers paradise.

Although the excuse of abuse is not a defence to murder, especially in Nigeria. It is imperative to raise awareness of mental health issues as an implication of abuse which can ultimately result in violent results towards abusers from their victims. It is important to remember that violence is not a solution to the problem of sexual abuse. However, by raising awareness about the devastating mental health impacts of abuse and the support that survivors need, we can work towards a society where sexual abuse is not tolerated, and survivors feel safe and empowered to speak up, heal and recover.