Featured Image Credit: VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Images/Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Topics: Crime, Menendez Brothers, True Crime, Netflix, TV And Film
Kya Buller
Topics: Crime, Menendez Brothers, True Crime, Netflix, TV And Film
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing
A psychologist has drawn back the curtain on what really drove Lyle and Erik Menendez to wear their infamous courtroom outfits - and revealed whether or not such strategies have a high success rate.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were at the centre of a televised trial that shocked America after they were arrested for the murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez.
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They alleged extreme sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their father, something they state their mother knew about but chose to ignore.
Following the release of the highly controversial Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, there has been a huge uptick in interest surrounding the brothers and their case.
The first trial resulted in a deadlocked jury as they were unable to reach a verdict - and it's very possible that the outfits the two wore, in part, led to this result.
The brothers wore pastel-toned outfits - something a psychologist has theorised was an intentional and strategic move.
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Speaking exclusively to Tyla, Dannielle Haig shared: "In the space of just a few seconds, people make up their minds about someone based on how they look. It’s human nature.
"Defence teams know this, and they use it to their advantage. Glasses, for instance, often give off a certain vibe—one of intelligence, gentleness, even innocence.
"There’s actual research showing that people who wear glasses are seen as more trustworthy and competent."
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As for whether or not this courtroom tactic of conjuring up an image of innocence actually works - the truth is surprising.
Dannielle explained: "You might wonder if something as simple as glasses or a soft-coloured shirt can actually make a difference—and surprisingly, it does.
"Studies have shown that juries are less likely to convict defendants who are seen as more attractive or well-presented. Now, it’s not just about looking good; it’s about looking the part.
"When a suspect looks less threatening and more relatable, juries are more likely to empathise with them. And once empathy kicks in, it can blur the lines between guilt and innocence."
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She continued: "It’s not just juries that this approach works on—it affects public opinion too.
"In high-profile trials, like the Menendez case, the media plays a big role. How the suspects look in court is beamed across the world, and how they’re presented can shape public perception, which in turn can influence the trial.
"The defence team knows this. They’re not just dressing their clients for the jury; they’re dressing them for everyone watching at home."
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A second, non-televised trial followed after the deadlocked jury result.
Much of the evidence for the abuse defence was ruled as inadmissible in court by Judge Weisberg.
The brothers are now serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.
After a string of failed appeal attempts, it was announced yesterday (3 October) that new evidence supporting the brothers' allegations of abuse had been uncovered, and that a hearing will take place on 29 November.
This could lead to a resentencing, or a new trial.
Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascón, shared in a press conference: "We have been given evidence. We have been given a photocopy of a letter that allegedly was sent by one of the brothers to another family member talking about him being the victim of molestation."
He concluded: "We’ve also got evidence that was provided by the defence, by his lawyers, that one of the members of the Menudo band [Roy Rosselló] alleged that he was molested by the father.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.