This article contains mentions of murder.
Spoilers for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story are ahead!
Netflix’sMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyintroduces an unexpected character – the infamous O.J. Simpson – raising the question of whether Lyle and Erik Menendez had an actual connection with the notorious former athlete. Ryan Murphy’strue crime TV showgained attention, both positive and negative, for its depiction of the Jeffrey Dahmer case, and the show surprisingly gained a second season focusing on thetrue story of Lyle and Erik Menendez.
No matter an individual’s perception of the portrayal of the story, theMonstersseason 2 castgave strong performances, including one surprising addition to the show – Trae Island as OJ Simpson.This fictionalized version never appears onscreen, but his voice can be heard. Simpson’s trial also affects the Menendez brothers’ case in the final episode ofMonstersseason 2. GivenMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’s inclusion of the famous individual, audiences would be remiss not to wonder whether the brothers actually had a relationship with the former athlete.
Lyle & Erik Menendez Knew O.J. Simpson Since The ’70s
Lyle & Erik Met O.J. Simpson Through Their Father, José Menendez
One of the most surprising moments of Netflix’sMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyis the unlikely friendship that develops between the Menendez brothers and O.J. Simpson. Shockingly, the three did actually have a relationship in real life at two separate points in time. Lyle and Erik Menendez first met Simpson in the mid-1970s after their father, José Menendez, played a pivotal role in setting up an endorsement deal between the famous football player and Hertz rental cars. Lyle toldPeople:
“[Jose] happened to be the head of a company and they were moving into heavy advertising, and they had this novel idea of having a sports hero do it. More people knew O.J. for that [the TV ads] than anything else… before what happened, happened."
Monsters Season 2 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play In Netflix’s Lyle & Erik Menendez Show
While walking through the timeline of Lyle and Erik’s crime and trial, Netflix’s Monsters features several background songs to elevate its drama.
The athlete didn’t just have a professional relationship with Jose; he soon developed a personal relationship with the family.Simpson would visit the Menendez’s Southern California home to spend time with José and play catch with the boys. He even autographed footballs and gifted them to Lyle and Erik Menendez. This foundation between the three would contribute to their friendliness almost 20 years later.
Robert Shapiro Was A Lawyer For The Menendez Brothers Before O.J. Simpson
Robert Shapiro Represented Erik Menendez Until Leslie Abramson Took Over
AfterErik and Lyle Menendez killed their parentsand got arrested, lawyer Robert Shapiro took on Erik Menendez as a client. Because the brothers were tried separately on the first go-round, they each had their own legal representation. Like inMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Shapiro set up Erik’s surrender to the authorities upon his return to the US from a tennis tournament.The lawyer continued representing Erik until just after his first arraignment.When Shapiro started representing O.J. Simpson, Lyle expressed his concern. He told Robert Rand, the author ofThe Menendez Murders, the following:
I expressed my concern that [lawyer] Robert Shapiro wouldn’t let him tell the truth. I said I knew it obviously wasn’t planned and that he had snapped in the heat of passion.
Ultimately, despite Lyle’s concerns, Simpson stuck with the lawyer and the rest of the “Dream Team,” the nickname for the 11 lawyers who represented the athlete in court. This worked out in his favor, asSimpson famously got acquitted of his alleged crimes, which is shown at theend ofMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
O.J. Simpson Went To The Same Prison As Lyle & Erik Menendez
The Menendez Brothers Offered Guidance To O.J. Simpson On Surviving Jail
About two decades after their first meeting, Lyle and Erik Menendez reunited with O.J. Simpson in the Los Angeles County Men’s Jail. The Menendez brothers were in jail for more than four years when Simpson was arrested and brought in for allegedly stabbing his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman, to death. He was placed in the cell next to Erik Menendez. The two talked with each other through their cell doors (viaNew York Post).
Erik implies in his further statements that the Los Angeles County DA was more interested in getting a guilty verdict than getting justice because of the failure in the previous case.
Additionally, Erik wrote a letter that provided the athlete with advice on how to get through jail and start looking toward the future. Erik even used his connections to help set Simpson up with the lawyer Johnnie Cochran. Lyle Menendez also had a relationship with Simpson while in prison together. The pair had over 100 conversations in the attorney’s room while waiting for their lawyers.Lyle told journalist Robert Rand that he believed the football player committed the murder and advised him to take a plea deal. He even suggested that Simpson share his side of the story.
Monster Season 2: Where The Real Lyle & Erik Menendez Are Today
Ryan Murphy’s Monster season 2 will follow Lyle and Erik Menendez, two young men who killed their parents. This is where the pair is in 2024.
Despite the friendly relationship, Erik does think Simpson’s case, which ended eight days prior, hurt their second trial. InThe Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All, he said, “O.J’s verdict had a very negative effect on our case.” Erik implies in his further statements that the Los Angeles County DA was more interested in getting a guilty verdict than getting justice because of the previous case. This sentiment is also reflected in the last episode ofMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
