Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Should the Menendez Brothers Walk Free? Legendary Dr. Burgess Testified in Trial & Weighs in
Description
The Menendez brothers release remains one of the biggest questions in true crime news as legendary forensic expert Dr. Ann Burgess, who testified during the original trial, shares her perspective on whether Erik and Lyle Menendez should walk free. In this episode of the STS podcast, we examine the latest debate surrounding the Menendez brothers release, revisit key trial testimony, and explore how expert opinions could shape public understanding of the case. The Menendez brothers release continues to spark intense discussion decades after the murders.
Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Joel Waldman and the #BestGuests in true crime as Dr. Burgess reflects on her courtroom experience, discusses trauma, behavioral evidence, and the psychological factors presented during the trial. Our panel also reviews the brothers' legal journey, recent developments, and the arguments for and against their possible release. We separate verified facts from speculation while providing balanced legal and forensic analysis.
Whether you've followed the Menendez case for years or are just catching up, this episode offers a direct, conversational, and concise discussion of one of America's most debated criminal cases. Stay informed with compelling real crime stories, inspiring survivor stories, the latest true crime news, discussions of notable cold cases, and trusted expert analysis from the STS podcast.
Key Points from the Episode:
Dr. Ann Burgess discusses the Menendez brothers release
Insights from a trial expert who testified in the original case
Analysis of trauma and behavioral evidence
Review of the brothers' legal history and recent developments
Arguments supporting and opposing possible release
Expert analysis from the #BestGuests
What could happen next in the Menendez brothers' case
Welcome to Surviving The Survivor the podcast that brings you the best guests in true crime.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of the grisly 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, at the family's sprawling Beverly Hills mansion.
They’ve been in prison ever since.
But, do they have a new shot at freedom? A major press conference is set for Wednesday October 16th about resentencing the brothers.
Dr. Ann Burgess is an internationally recognized pioneer in the assessment and treatment of victims of trauma and abuse, and author of A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind.
Among her many awards and accolades, in 2016 she was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing She has also worked with FBI Academy special agents to study serial offenders, and the links between child abuse, juvenile delinquency, and subsequent perpetration.
Erlinda Ocampo Johnson Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, University of New Mexico School of Law graduate (’95), was appointed the special prosecutor in the Alec Baldwin case.
She’s a highly experienced and successful Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Attorney that has represented hundreds of clients facing Federal and State Criminal Charges
R. Timothy Jansen has handled complex Civil, Administrative and Criminal Litigation s, first as Chief Trial Counsel for the Secretary of State of Florida, Tallahassee, handling both complex Civil and Criminal matters.
Afterwards, he worked as a Senior Fraud Prosecutor for the United States Attorney