examining the physical evidence in a forensic case|My course tutor
Posted: February 24th, 2023
The Menendez Brothers By: Dionysius Ayala
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Dionysius Ayala, and my presentation is based on The Menendez Brothers.
1
Description of the Crime Committed
Evening of August 20, 1989
The parents
Shot 6 times
Fatal shot at back of head
Shot 10 times in total
Was still alive before fatal shot to the cheek
It was the evening of August 20th 1989. When media titan Jose Menendez and his wife “Kitty” were gunned down in cold blood in their multi million-dollar Beverly Hills mansion. Jose was sitting on the couch (However, other sources claim they were standing somewhere, others claim they were watching TV) Anyways…..whatever their position was at that unfortunate time. Jose was shot six times with a fatal shot to the back of the head and Kitty was shot ten times in total and was still alive and crawling before the fatal shot to the cheek that left her disfigured.
2
Evidence
Visibly grief stricken
Highly upset
Sobbing hysterically
Spending spree
Luxury items
Businesses
Traveling
Taped confessions
Missing shotgun shells
Missing shotguns
Lyle
This gruesome double murder shocked the residents of this highly affluent community. And would later transfix a nation drawn to the lurid testimony playing live from a Van Nuys courtroom. For the first several months following the murders, the world would be taken by storm by one of the most publicized whodunits in history and it was straight out of a Hollywood film noar.
The detective that interviewed the boys, recalls that Erik was verry careful saying that they were at a food festival and at the movies meanwhile Lyle was visibly grief stricken, highly upset, and sobbing hysterically. It is said they were spending money like drunken sailors. Buying luxury items, buying businesses and traveling.
For months, this case went unsolved until the shocking tape confessions of smith graven, Lyle, and this was when Erik and Lyle came to life becoming pop culture celebrities. Not only for killing their parents but for the reason they claimed they killed them. Also, at the scene, they were missing shotgun shells together with the missing shotguns.
3
Description of Suspects
Erik & Lyle
4
Suspects Connection to Evidence
No forced entry
Not appear to be a robbery
Erik was emotionally unstable
Lyle was ccc
Diversion
Staged murder to look like mob hit
Kitty’s shot to left knee from different angle
Erik was more psychologically damaged
Erik confessed to the murders
Det Zoeller traced the sale of two shotguns
At first, law enforcement taught this was a gang related or mafia hit. For many months there was no conclusive evidence. Police were confused and baffled since they were lacking leads. During the first hours of the crime, the police were scrubbing the crime scene looking for DNA evidence, looking for fingerprints, looking for eyewitnesses and for what people have heard particularly when they were gunshots ringing. What detectives found very surprising was the lack of cooperation from people in this community in which they pointed out how that night no one called 911 for hearing shotguns blasting, but they were quick to call for barking dogs allt he time and for parking violations.
5
Conviction/Outcome
FIRST TRIAL DEFENSE
E & L victims of child abuse by father at young age
Attacked character of Jose and Kitty
Jury deadlocked
SECOND TRIAL
Less publicized and closed to the public
Life in prison w/o parole
Different facilities
This case was highly publicized and chaotic. The defense strategy claimed Erik and Lyle were the victims of child abuse by their father at a young age. Eventho this was never heard at the time of the early investigation or by their shrink. This amped up the defense in which they attacked the character of Jose and Kitty and caused the jury to become deadlocked, so the judge called a mistrial. The second trial less publicized and closed to the public. In 1996, their verdict was life in prison without the possibility of parole and the brothers were separated and sent to different facilities. The only means of communication they have is writing letters to each others.
6
Current Status
May file a habeas corpus in 2023
New evidence: Victims of sexual abuse
According to sources, the brothers may file a habeas corpus in 2023 with hope that the new evidence about them being victims of sexual abuse will hold water.
7
References
Crime Museum, LLC. (2021, August 16). Erik and Lyle Menendez. Crime Museum. https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/famous-murders/erik-and-lyle-menendez/
Frankie, C.M. (2022, November 25). A+E Networks EMEA. https://www.aenetworks.tv/
History.com Editors. (2020, August 18). The Menendez brothers murder their parents. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-menendez-brothers-murder-their-parents
Walsh, M. (2017, January 5). What Evidence Was There Against The Menendez Brothers? They Confessed To The Crime. Romper. https://www.romper.com/p/what-evidence-was-there-against-the-menendez-brothers-they-confessed-to-the-crime-27032
Final Presentation Assignment Description
THE MURDER OF ELISA IZQUIERDO
PowerPoint Presentation
Give an 8-minute PowerPoint presentation.
The focus of the presentation will be on examining the physical evidence in a forensic case related to one or more of the following topics: firearms, impressions, fire, explosions, document examination, computer, and/ or mobile forensics.
The PowerPoint Presentation will consist of the following slides:
1. Title Slide
2. Description of the Crime Committed
3. Description of the Physical Evidence with a focus on the kinds of evidence described in the second half of the course (firearms, impressions, fire, explosions, document examination, computer and mobile forensics)
4. Description of the Suspect(s) and how they were connected to the physical evidence
5. Conviction and/or other outcome of the case
6. Current status of the case
7. Include References slide APA style
Each slide must NOT include full sentences (must be bullet points with key phrases/words) – there should be NO paragraphs.
Use pictures where possible
SOLUTION
Lyle Menendez noted that he appeared visibly grief-stricken and highly upset after discovering his parents’ bodies. He was seen sobbing hysterically and seemed to be in shock. However, it was later revealed that Lyle went on a spending spree, buying luxury items, investing in businesses, and traveling extensively shortly after the murders. Additionally, taped confessions made by Lyle and his brother Erik revealed that they had killed their parents. There were also missing shotgun shells and shotguns, which were believed to have been used in the murders. Lyle was eventually convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, while Erik received the same sentence after a separate trial.
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