Menendez Brothers Then & Now — PICS

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April 1, 2021 8:53PM EDT

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Erik Menendez looking handsome before killing his parents

Erik Menendez looking handsome before killing his parents — Erik Menendez seen prior to the murders of his parents. He had a bright future, accepted to UCLA, and his brother Lyle wasa Princeton student when they shot and killed their parents Jose and Kitty inside their Beverly Hills mansion on Aug. 20, 1989. Initially the two were not suspected, as they convincingly played griving sons.

The brothers went on to spend money wildly after their parents murders, blowing through nearly a million dollars on everything from cars and jewelry to purchasing restaurants. Police then believed the had a financial motive in the murders and the brothers were eventually arrested in 1990. They were tried separately, but claimed that they killed their parents after years of sexual and emotional abuse. The first trial ended up with the jury deadlocked. A second jury ended up convicting both Lyle and Erik after the judge limited testimony about their abuse claims and took the manslaughter option off the table. The brothers were convicted of first-degree murder, and of conspiracy to commit murder. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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Erik Menendez as a teen

Erik Menendez as a teen — Erik Menendez seen in a photo as a teenager wearing a pink shirt.

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Erik Menendez poses in a tuxedo

Erik Menendez poses in a tuxedo — Erik Menendez poses in a tuxedo on a balcony in front of a lake. He grew up with a priviledged life in Beverly Hills.

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Erik Menendez testifies in his murder case

Erik Menendez testifies in his murder case — Erik Menendez takes the stand in his own defense, accused of the murders of his parents Jose and Kitty.

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Lyle Menendez watches testimony during his trial

Lyle Menendez watches testimony during his trial — Lyle Menendez watches testimony during his trial for killing his parents Jose and Kitty inside their Beverly Hills mansion

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Lyle Menendez in a prison mugshot

Lyle Menendez in a prison mugshot — Lyle Menendez as seen in a prison mugshot. He shared off his head of dark, thick hair.

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Erik Menendez at his murder trial

Erik Menendez at his murder trial — Erik Menendez looks concerned during his murder trial for killing his parents Jose and Kitty.

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Erik & Lyle Menendez make a court appearance

Erik & Lyle Menendez make a court appearance — Erik & Lyle Menendez make a court appearance after being arrested for the Aug. 20, 1989 murders of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home.

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Lyle & Eric Menendez in court

Lyle & Eric Menendez in court — Lyle & Eric Menendez as seen in a court hearing in 1990. They were later convicted of first degree murder for shooting their parents to death.

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Lyle Menendez wears a plaid shirt in court

Lyle Menendez wears a plaid shirt in court — Lyle Menendez looks downcast during his murder trial while wearing a colorful plaid shirt.

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Lyle & Erik Menendez look concerned while in court

Lyle & Erik Menendez look concerned while in court — Lyle & Erik Menendez have a moment of concern while facing the judge in their murder case, standing accused of killing their parents Jose and Kitty. l

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Erik Menendez’ most current mug shot

Erik Menendez’ most current mug shot — Erik Menendez is seen in this Oct. 31, 2016 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Sorry ladies, he’s a married man despite serving a life sentence for double murder.

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Lyle Menendez smiles in this Feb.. 2018 prison photo

Lyle Menendez smiles in this Feb.. 2018 prison photo — Lyle Menendez is all smiles in this Feb. 22, 2018 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He sure has changed from when he was a clean-cut Princeton student accused of murdering his parents.

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