The case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who fatally shot their parents in 1989, features prominently in the second season of Netflix’s anthology series “Monster.” Central to the narrative is therapist Jerome Oziel, who heard their confessions.
In “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which premiered on Thursday, actor Dallas Roberts portrays the controversial therapist. The season delves into the horrific murder of the Menendez parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989.
During the trial, the brothers contended that years of abuse had driven them to kill their parents. Ultimately, both were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Jerome Oziel was the therapist for Erik and Lyle Menendez, and he became a pivotal witness during their trial. After officials identified Erik as a suspect in burglaries in 1988, they sought Oziel’s counsel. He testified that the brothers confessed to him over several months of therapy.
Under cross-examination, defense lawyers sought to undermine Oziel’s credibility by bringing attention to an alleged affair he had with a patient.
Oziel, a graduate of Arizona State University with a doctorate in clinical psychology, practiced in Beverly Hills after moving from South Carolina. He also taught at the University of Southern California and was regarded as an expert in various phobias and sexually related disorders.
He testified during the trial that the Menendez brothers had threatened him but did not carry out those threats. On January 3, 1997, Oziel’s therapist license was revoked by the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Psychology after allegations surfaced regarding his sexual conduct with patients and breaches of confidentiality. He did not admit any wrongdoing and has since moved from California.
All nine episodes of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” became available on September 19.
The cast features:
– Javier Bardem as José Menendez
– Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez
– Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez
– Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez
– Dallas Roberts as Dr. Jerome Oziel
– Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne
– Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson
– Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth
– Jason Butler Harner as Les Zoeller
– Enrique Murciano as Carlos Baralt