Ep 4. Menendez Brothers: The Bad Sons

Barbara Walters Presents American Scandals season 1 episode 4 is entitled "Menendez Brothers: The Bad Sons." This episode delves into the infamous Menendez case where two affluent brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, killed their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The case garnered national attention due to its sensational nature and the seemingly idyllic family image projected by the Menendezes.

Throughout the episode, Walters explores the events leading up to the murders, the trial, and the aftermath. The Menendez family was initially seen as an All-American family; Jose Menendez was a successful film executive, and Kitty Menendez was a devoted homemaker. However, behind closed doors, the family was plagued with dark secrets and years of abuse.

Walters interviews key players in the case, including Erik and Lyle's defense attorneys and family members of the Menendezes. She also explores the psychological implications of the case, including the concept of battered woman syndrome and its impact on Kitty Menendez.

The trial itself was a media spectacle, with sensational details about the family's wealth, infidelity, and abuse coming to light. The defense argued that the brothers were driven to kill their parents out of fear for their lives due to ongoing physical and emotional abuse. The prosecution painted the brothers as greedy, spoiled, and wanting to cash in on their parents' wealth.

The episode also highlights the prosecutor's attempts to prove that Erik and Lyle committed the murders for their own financial gain. Walters examines the jury's ultimately divided decision and the brothers' eventual conviction for first-degree murder.

Finally, Walters looks at the aftermath of the trial, including the brothers' sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The case has had a lasting impact on the legal system, with changes made to California's laws regarding the admissibility of battered woman syndrome.

Overall, "Menendez Brothers: The Bad Sons" is a deeply revealing look at one of the most notorious criminal cases in American history. Walters' journalistic expertise is on full display as she uncovers the shocking truth behind this tragic family saga.