Dr. Jerome Oziel is a key figure in the Menendez case, as portrayed by Dallas Roberts in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. But what became of the therapist after the trials?
The second season of Ryan Murphy’s series delves into the 1989 murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez, the notorious trials that ensued, and the involvement of the Menendez brothers.
Lyle and Erik were both sentenced to life in prison for the killings but are currently seeking to have their convictions overturned, claiming they endured years of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse from their parents.
Oziel played a significant role in the conviction of the Menendez brothers, having recorded their confessions and later facing allegations of manipulation from his former patient and mistress, Judalon Smyth.
Dr. Jerome Oziel is now Dr. Jerry Oziel
Since the trial’s conclusion, the former therapist has maintained a low profile. He is now known as Dr. Jerry Oziel and is associated with the Marital Mediation Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Oziel is portrayed by Dallas Roberts in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
The center’s website states that it offers sessions for couples to enhance “marriages through mediation as a divorce alternative.”
When selecting a marital mediator, the site emphasizes the importance of the mediator’s background, hourly rate, geographical location, and their overall experience.
“The personal ‘fit’ between mediator and clients is also an essential aspect that fosters successful marital mediation,” it notes.
In 2017, it was also reported that Oziel had been conducting relationship, marriage, and sex seminars in Portland, Oregon. Bustle shared a snapshot of his former website, which has since been removed, indicating:
“Dr. Oziel also focuses on seminars for single, widowed, or divorced women and mother/daughter seminars offering extensive practical advice on navigating relationships with men in various situations where women often encounter challenges.”
When approached for a comment, he stated that his seminars have received “100% approval/satisfaction ratings” and mentioned that he is currently writing “multiple books” and managing “a diverse range of business interests unrelated to the seminars.”
Why was he so controversial?
Dr. Oziel became a contentious figure in the Menendez case because of his complicated and ethically questionable role as the brothers’ therapist and his relationship with witness Judalon Smyth.
The therapist was crucial in the case
Oziel conducted therapy sessions with Erik, during which the younger Menendez brother confessed to the murders following the 1989 homicide of their parents.
Before the brothers’ arrest, Oziel disclosed this information to his mistress and former patient Smyth, creating controversy due to the ethical standards that prevent therapists from engaging romantically with their patients.
Therapists are also obliged to uphold the confidentiality of their patients’ information. Oziel recorded numerous sessions with Erik and Lyle, and Smyth later alerted the police about these recordings.
While Oziel alleged he felt threatened by the brothers—an assertion that allowed the confession tape to be admitted in court—the defense contended that he exhibited manipulative behavior.
Judalon Smyth transitioned to a defense witness
Smyth corroborated the defense’s claims, stating that she was “brainwashed” by Oziel after initially informing the police about the tapes. The defense argued that Oziel had recorded their sessions to assert control and had used the recordings to threaten them.
This testimony about Oziel and Smyth’s dysfunctional relationship undermined the therapist’s credibility, raising suspicions regarding the validity of the evidence he presented.
Perception has changed
In contemporary discussions, many true crime enthusiasts believe that Oziel’s participation inadvertently assisted Erik and Lyle during their initial trials.
“In my view, Oziel’s role was paradoxically beneficial to the brothers. His credibility eroded completely on the stand, revealing him to be, in my opinion, a narcissistic individual who exploited the brothers for his own ends,” stated a Reddit user.
“Notably, Erik confessed to him while in a suicidal state, indicating he was not a cold-hearted sociopath but felt significant remorse and guilt, driving him to contemplate taking his own life.
“Oziel’s response to this confession raises many questions. He invited Lyle for a discussion about Erik’s disclosures, despite the confidentiality agreement, and even suggested that Lyle was acting in a ‘threatening’ manner, implying that he was in danger.”
“Remember, Oziel needed to claim he was threatened to protect his license; it was his justification for recording the sessions and breaching confidentiality,” the user continued.
Another discussed how Erik claimed, “we had no other choice,” indicating they believed they were in imminent danger.
Lyle testifying in 1993
Another user remarked, “Both brothers asserted in the Oziel recordings that financial gain was not their motivation, with evidence suggesting they were aware of being removed from the will prior to the murders.”
“In one recording, Dr. Oziel expressed frustration that Judalon had alerted law enforcement, mentioning ‘there’s $14 million at stake,’ implying his concerns about financial implications,” commented a third user.
“It seems plausible that Dr. Oziel fabricated his fear of the brothers to safeguard his license after revealing patient secrets.”
The user concluded, “For more insights, refer to his trial testimony and cross-examination from the first trial. The prosecution chose not to call him during the second trial for reasons that can be inferred.”
Oziel lost his license
Dr. Oziel’s actions became a focal point of the trial and had lasting negative consequences on his career, as he ultimately lost his license to practice psychology.
In 1997, the LA Times reported that after being “accused of breaching confidentiality rules and engaging in sexual relations with female patients,” he “surrendered his license to the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Psychology.”
Oziel’s attorney, Bradley W. Brunon, claimed at that time that no wrongdoing occurred, asserting that he did not renew his license due to his move out of state.
“It was illogical to return to California and incur substantial expenses to defend a license he no longer utilized in a state where he didn’t reside,” Brunon explained to the outlet.
For further information on Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, revisit the Menendez family’s reaction to controversial scenes, explore the backlash surrounding a premiere photo, and gain insights into the case by examining expert opinions on the brothers’ appeal.
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