Explaining Leslie Abramson’s Link to the Menendez Brothers in Monsters Season 2

Leslie Abramson gained prominence as a defense attorney during the highly publicized trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez. Following a deadlocked jury in their first trial, a subsequent trial in 1996 resulted in the brothers being convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, along with conspiracy to commit murder. This raises the question: Did Lyle and Erik maintain any contact with Leslie after their conviction?

It seems that after their conviction in 1996, Leslie did not keep in touch with either of the Menendez brothers. Initially, they were incarcerated in different prison facilities, but they reunited in 2018 at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.

Who is Leslie Abramson?

Leslie, originally hailing from Queens, New York, is a former attorney who moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s. She graduated with a law degree from UCLA. After the Menendez brothers’ conviction, she shared her thoughts with the media, taking a moment to step away from the intense media spotlight surrounding the case.

Leslie characterized Lyle and Erik as “troubled” youth whose actions were a result of alleged deep-seated emotional, physical, and sexual abuse during their upbringing.

“In my 27 years of representing individuals accused of murder, these two do not compare to anyone else I’ve encountered,” Leslie remarked, adding that “these are not murderers.”

She portrayed them as vulnerable children trapped in an abusive household, ultimately breaking under the weight of their circumstances. The punishments they received were, in her view, exceedingly harsh compared to the events that unfolded. The dynamics shift considerably when comparing them to a predator who commits murder against strangers.

Monsters Season 2: Leslie Abramson's Connection To Menendez Brothers Explained — Ari Graynor and Michael Gladis in Monsters | Source: IMDb

What Were Leslie’s Thoughts on the Verdict of the Case?

In October 2024, Netflix revisited the Menendez brothers’ story with the release of a documentary featuring unseen footage and interviews with key players—though Leslie was notably absent from this lineup. At the conclusion of the documentary titled The Menendez Brothers, it was revealed that Leslie believed there was nothing further that could be done for them.

This documentary was produced in 2023, three decades after Erik and Lyle received life sentences without the possibility of parole for their first-degree murder conviction.

By that time, Leslie was 80 years old, enjoying a fulfilling life with her siblings, whom she fought tirelessly to support. However, when approached by the filmmakers, her demeanor did not reflect her earlier passionate advocacy for the brothers.

Over the years, many changes can occur, and reopening this particular case could lead to rehashing painful memories. It is indeed tragic to witness this once-ardent supporter appear devoid of hope regarding the future of the Menendez brothers.

Was Leslie Abramson Restricted During the Trial?

Yes, Leslie Abramson was placed under a gag order during the retrial of the Menendez brothers.

Sharon Waxman, writing for The Washington Post, noted that Leslie, usually outspoken, appeared withdrawn at the defense table. She was reportedly seen preoccupied with pens and papers while her co-counsel, Barry Levin, largely remained silent throughout the seven-month trial, advocating against the death penalty and pushing for life sentences without parole. Allegations of evidence tampering loomed over her, which contributed to her limited participation.

While the prosecution sought her removal from the case, the judge opted to impose a gag order instead.

Where is Leslie Abramson Today?

After the Menendez trial, Leslie represented music producer Phil Spector, who faced second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of Lana Clarkson in 2003. Ultimately, she withdrew from this high-profile case, and Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in 2009. Since then, Leslie has largely remained out of the public eye.

In Netflix’s documentary The Menendez Brothers, which aired in October 2024, Leslie declined to participate in an interview.

She is a mother of two, and she has kept their identities and lives private, shunning public attention.

About Monster Season 2

The second season of the anthology series Monster, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, deals with another notorious case that gripped the nation in the 1990s. Set to release on Netflix on September 19, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story recounts the shocking events of August 20, 1989, when the two brothers murdered their parents and the subsequent fallout of that tragedy. (Both brothers were eventually convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan initially started this series with Monster: DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story in 2022, which detailed the horrifying murders committed by Jeffrey Dahmer (played by Evan Peters) from 1978 to 1991. DAHMER broke records on Netflix, amassing 1 billion viewing hours in just 60 days, placing it among only four series, including Stranger Things and Squid Game, to achieve such a feat. Following the success of the inaugural season, Monster was greenlit for two more seasons exploring other notorious criminals and their impact on society.

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