Court TV
Leslie Abramson…..Julia Sweeney
Lyle/”Jose, Jr.” Menendez…..John Malkovich
Greg Jared….Mike Myers
Erik/”Danny” Menendez…..Rob Schneider
David Conn…..Kevin Nealon
Judge Weisberg…..Phil Hartman
[ open on Court TV logo ]
[ dissolve to Menendez Brothers trial, as defense lawyer Leslie Abramson questions Lyle Menendez ]
[ SUPER: “Menendez Bros. Trial. Direct of Lyle Menendez by Defense.” ]
Leslie Abramson: Let me ask you once again.. is it your testimony, that you and your brother Erik, in fact had nothing to do with the murder of your parents, Jose & Kitty Menendez?
Lyle Menendez: That’s correct.
Leslie Abramson: Then, can you tell the court who did murder your parents?
[ SUPER: “Lyle is retracting his and Erik’s confession to the murder of their parents.” ]
Lyle Menendez: Our other two brothers.. Danny Menendez & Jose Menendez, Jr. [ covers his face with his hands and cries ]
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the murder of their parents.”]
[ SUPER: “They stood to inherit the sum of $14 million.”]
[ dissolve to anchor Greg Jared ]
Greg Jared: Good evening. I’m Greg Jared for Court TV. It was a startling day of testimony at the trial of Lyle & Eric Menendez. After several weeks of presenting its case, the defense stunned the courtroom with the revelation that, not only are there two other previously unknown Menendez brothers – Danny & Jose, Jr. – but that they, in fact, committed the murder for which Lyle & Eric are charged. Later this afternoon, younger brother Eric joined Lyle on the stand, and in riveting testimony, they spoke of the secret existence of these two previously unknown Menendez brothers – and the years of emotional abuse they suffered.
[ dissolve back to the courtroom, Erik & Lyle Menendez both on the stand ]
Leslie Abramson: Now.. is it true your father never allowed your other two brothers, Danny & Jose, Jr., our of the house.
[ SUPER: “Menendez Bros. Trial. Direct of Lyle and Erik Menendez by Defense.” ]
Lyle & Erik: Yes.
Leslie Abramson: And that he never allowed them to go to school?
Lyle & Erik: Yes.. yes.
Leslie Abramson: He’s never haved them in family pictures or mentioned them to friends?
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik are testifying that they have two brothers named Danny and Jose Menendez, Jr.” ]
Lyle & Erik: Yes.
Leslie Abramson: No driver’s licenses, no birth certificates, no Social Security cards?
Lyle Menendez: My.. father said Danny & Jose, Jr. didn’t.. deserve to have any official records of their existence, because.. [ fighting the tears ] ..they were weak and not good tennis players.
Leslie Abramson: So, in other words, it was as if your father didn’t want anyone to know your other brothers even existed?
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the murder of their parents.”]
[ SUPER: “They stood to inherit the sum of $14 million.”]
Lyle Menendez: [ hesitant ] Yes.. [ they break into tears ]
[ dissolve to anchor Greg Jared ]
Greg Jared: Later, in surely the most dramatic moment of the trial, the defense called these newly discovered Mendenz Brothers – Danny & Jose Menendez, Jr. – to the stand.
[ dissolve back to the courtroom, Erik & Lyle Menendez both on the stand ]
Leslie Abramson: Would you state your names for the court record?
[ SUPER: “Menendez Bros. Trial. Direct of Danny and Jose Menendez, Jr. by Defense.” ]
Erik Menendez: Danny Menenedez.
Lyle Menendez: Jose Menendez, Jr.
Leslie Abramson: And you are both sons of Jose & Kitty Menendez?
Lyle & Erik: Yes.. yes.
Leslie Abramson: And you are not Lyle & Erik Menendez pretending to be two different Menendez brothers?
Lyle & Erik: No.. we are not.
Leslie Abramson: Even though you look remarkably like Lyle & Erik Menendez?
[ SUPER: “Danny and Jose, Jr. are testifying that they exist.” ]
Lyle & Erik: Yes.
[ SUPER: “and that they are not Lyle and Erik Menendez in disguise” ]
Leslie Abramson: And.. this is the first time anyone, other than your dead parents and Eric & Lyle Menendez have ever seen you?
Lyle & Erik: Yes.
Leslie Abramson: And, it is oyur testimony that it was you who killed your parents, Jose & Kitty Menendez, and not your brothers Lyle & Erik Menendez, to whom you bear a striking resemblance.
Lyle & Erik: Yes.
Leslie Abramson: And that you forced your two innocent brothers, Lyle & Erik Menendez, to confess to the murder?
Lyle & Erik: Yes.. yes. [ they begin to cry ]
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the murder of their parents.”]
[ SUPER: “They stood to inherit the sum of $14 million.”]
Lyle Menendez: [ hesitant ] Yes.. [ they break into tears ]
[ dissolve to anchor Greg Jared ]
Greg Jared: Later.. Danny & Jose Menendez, Jr. faced a tough cross-examination by the prosecution.
[ dissolve back to the courtroom, Erik & Lyle Menendez both on the stand ]
[ SUPER: “Menendez Bros. Trial. Cross of Danny and Jose Menendez, Jr. by Prosecution.” ]
David Conn: Now, it is your testimony that you are, in fact, Danny & Jose Menendez, Jr., andnot Lyle & Erik Menendez?
Lyle & Erik: Yes.. yes.
David Conn: Then, can you tell the court where Erik & Lyle Menendez are?
Lyle Menendez: They’re in the bathroom.
[ SUPER: “Danny and Jose Jr. are testifying that Lyle and Erik are in the bathroom.”]
Leslie Abramson: Your Honor, I object! Where’s the prosecution going with this?
David Conn: Your Honor, the prosecution believes there may be only two, and, at the most.. three Menendez brothers. And, further, we’d like the defense to produce all four Menendez brothers, if they, in fact, exist.
[ SUPER: “The Prosecution asks that all four brothers appear in court at the same time.”]
[ the Defense team discuss the idea ]
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the murder of their parents.”]
[ SUPER: “They stood to inherit the sum of $14 million.”]
Leslie Abramson: Your Honor.. the defense will be happy to produce Erik & Lyle Menendez, provided that Danny & Jose Menendez, Jr. are allowed to go get them.
Judge Weisberg: Is that really necessary?
Leslie Abramson: Your Honor.. all four Menendez brothers have been under a tremendous stress. Eric & Lyle just went to the bathroom to cry. I think it would be best if Danny & jose, Jr. went to get them.
Judge Weisberg: [ bangs gavel ] I’ll allow it. Danny & Jose Menendez, Jr., you may go to the bathroom to get your brothers.. but, however, I would like you to do it quickly.
[ Lyle and Eric stand up, then exit the courtroom to retrieve their brothers; the camera fixates on their empty chairs. ]
[ SUPER: “Danny and Jose, Jr. have gone to the bathroom.” ]
[ SUPER: “They hope to convince brothers Lyle and Erik to stop crying and return to the courtroom.” ]
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the murder of their parents.”]
[ SUPER: “They stood to inherit the sum of $14 million.”]
[ Lyle and Erik finally return to the courtroom, and take their seats ]
Judge Weisberg: Would you please state your names for the record?
Lyle Menendez: Lyle Menendez.
Erik Menendez: Erik Menendez.
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik have returned to the bathroom.” ]
Judge Weisberg: And you’re not the same two Menendez brothers who were just here a minute ago, right?
Erik Menendez: Yes.. that’s correct.
Lyle Menendez: We’re… different Menendez brothers.
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the murder of their parents.”]
[ SUPER: “They stood to inherit the sum of $14 million.”]
Judge Weisberg: So.. would you please tell the court what happened to your brothers Danny & Jose Menendez, Jr.?
Lyle Menendez: [ fighting the tears ] They’re in the bathroom..
Judge Weisberg: And, once again, I don’t suppose they will come out of the bathroom for anyone but you two, correct?
Lyle Menendez: [ crying ] Yes..
Erik Menendez: Yes..
Judge Weisberg: Could just one you go to the bathroom and get them?
[ Lyle & Erik look at one another, unsure of what their next move should be now that the judge has trapped them in their charade ]
Lyle Menendez: [ with no idea what he is going to do ] Ooo-kay.. [ slowly exits the courtroom, dumbfounded ]
[ SUPER: “Lyle has gone to the bathroom to get Danny and Jose, Jr.” ]
[ SUPER: “Lyle and Erik Menendez were charged with the murder of their parents.”]
[ SUPER: “They stood to inherit the sum of $14 million.”]
Greg Jared: After waiting more than two hours for Lyle Menendez to return with his brothers, Danny & Jose Menendez, Jr., Judge Weisberg adjoined the court until Monday. We’ll be back hen with complete court coverage of the Lyle & Erik Menendez murder case. I’m Greg Jared. See you Monday!
[ fade ]
