Leslie Abramson: Life After Monsters – The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story

The recently released true crime series on Netflix, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has rekindled public interest in the shocking murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez, as well as the lengthy trial that unfolded over three decades ago.

Additionally, the series offers a diverse array of perspectives regarding the case from several key individuals involved.

Notable witnesses include Dr. Jerome Oziel, the psychiatrist who documented the brothers’ confessions, and Dominick Dunne, a Vanity Fair reporter who penned numerous articles about the unfolding drama.

The show also highlights the defense attorney who represented the Menendez brothers and played a vital role in crafting a strategy that almost led to their acquittal on murder charges.

In this Netflix series, Ari Graynor portrays Leslie Abramson. While viewers may recognize her from previous films like Whip It and The Disaster Artist, who exactly is Abramson, and what has she been up to lately?

Who is Leslie Abramson?

Born in Queens, New York, in 1943, Leslie Abramson is a criminal defense attorney and author. Prior to taking on the Menendez brothers’ case, she had already established herself in the legal field as a graduate from UCLA Law School. She joined the California State Bar in 1970.

In 1969, Abramson and her daughter Laine ended her marriage to a pharmacist. She later married Tim Rutten, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.

Her reputation likely soared with the high-profile 1988 case, where she defended Arnel Salvatierra, a 17-year-old who shot his father three times. Abramson successfully argued that Salvatierra was not guilty of the more severe first-degree murder but rather voluntary manslaughter due to prior abuse from his father. He was eventually acquitted in 1989 and given five years of probation.

Another notable case involved Dr. Khalid Parwez, a gynecologist accused of strangling and dismembering his 11-year-old son during a custody battle; he was acquitted of murder in 1990.

The LA Times famously described Abramson as a “4-ft-11, fire-eating, mud-slinging, nuclear-strength pain in the legal butt” at the peak of her career. In 1996, she was quoted in The Washington Post stating, “Joan of Arc and anyone else who’s been burned at the stake are my role models.”

What was Leslie Abramson’s role in the Menendez brothers’ trial?

Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch in Monsters | Source: IMDB

In the initial trial, the Menendez brothers were tried together but before separate juries, as the Netflix series illustrates, a detail that some viewers might not fully grasp. Both attorneys employed similar strategies; however, Abramson represented Erik while Jill Lansing represented Lyle.

They argued that the brothers feared for their lives, believing their parents would kill them if they did not act. They further claimed that their father had subjected them to physical and sexual abuse.

In 1995, a retrial occurred. Abramson agreed to represent Erik pro bono as the brothers had depleted their financial resources. Charles Gessler acted as Lyle’s public defender. During this trial, they were also barred from introducing the abuse allegations as evidence.

After being tried together again, this time before a single jury, the brothers were ultimately convicted and sentenced to life without parole. Dunne described Abramson as “fearless and tough,” dubbing her one of the “most brilliant Los Angeles defense lawyers for death-row cases.”

Abramson’s relationship with the Menendez brothers

Reports suggest that during the trial, Abramson became quite close to the Menendez brothers. Although she has not confirmed this, Dunne stated that he heard from sources that she referred to them as “adorable,” a sentiment reflected in the Netflix series.

Abramson reportedly criticized the potential for the brothers to be placed in separate prisons, labeling it “exceedingly cruel and heartless.”

What did Leslie Abramson do after the Menendez trial?

In 1997, Abramson authored The Defense is Ready: Life in the Trenches of Criminal Law, which details her professional journey.

Post-trial, questions arose about Abramson’s conduct when she asked a defense witness to eliminate certain details from their notes, believing them to be privileged. Ultimately, the California State Bar decided not to pursue further inquiries.

In 2004, she represented Phil Spector, a music producer embroiled in a murder investigation related to the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson. However, due to ethical concerns and a subsequent falling out, Abramson resigned from his defense team, and Spector was convicted of murder under a different attorney’s guidance.

Where is Leslie Abramson now?

Records indicate that Abramson divorced her husband Rutten in 2007; however, they reportedly remained close until his passing in 2022.

In articles featured in the Thousand Oaks Acorn, a local California newspaper, Abramson demonstrated her unwavering commitment to courtroom battles well into her later years.

During a 2021 case, where she defended investment banker Craig Noell, she labeled the charges against her client as “a big fat nothing” and “a tempest in a teapot.”

Abramson stated that the prosecution was displeased with her success in exonerating Noell from attempted murder charges and remarked, “I’ve lost so many I can’t even count. You mature, and you move forward.”

“What I believe is essential for being an outstanding criminal lawyer is an innate understanding of people and relationships, qualities I think are inherent in women,” Abramson expressed in a 2015 address at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, advocating for female attorneys.

She did not contribute to the Netflix series and generally prefers to stay out of the public eye. At 80 years old, as of this writing, Abramson appears to be relishing a well-deserved retirement. Reports indicate that her legal license remained valid until 2023.

About Monster Season 2

In the second season of the Monster anthology series, creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan delve into another infamous case that captivated the nation in the ‘90s. Set to premiere on Netflix on Sept. 19, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story recounts the events surrounding the gruesome killings of the brothers’ parents on Aug. 20, 1989. (Both were ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.)

Created by Murphy and Brennan, the first season of Monster, DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, debuted in 2022 and chronicled the disturbing murders committed by Jeffrey Dahmer (portrayed by Evan Peters) from 1978 to 1991. DAHMER became a record-breaking hit on Netflix, amassing 1 billion view hours within the first 60 days of its release. This 10-episode series is among only four series—including Stranger Things and Squid Game—to achieve such a remarkable milestone. Following the resounding success of the first season, Monster was renewed for two additional seasons focusing on other notorious figures that have shaped society.

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