After 35 years since Erik and Lyle Menendez murdered their parents in Southern California, there’s a possibility of resentencing the brothers, which supporters deem a step toward justice. This change is significantly influenced by a surge of interest in true crime media.

The Menendez brothers were found guilty of killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. Their second trial followed a previous one that ended without a verdict. Their defense argues that crucial evidence regarding the abuse they faced was not allowed in the second trial, impacting their chances of a fair trial.

A growing wave of support emerged for the Menendez brothers, who are currently serving life sentences without parole, largely due to the Netflix documentary titled “The Menendez Brothers” which was released earlier this month. A dramatized version hit the platform in September as well.

True crime continues to capture public fascination, diving into real murder cases through various formats including documentaries, podcasts, and books. Often, these investigations spark renewed public interest and scrutiny, leading to significant developments in several cases.

Here are four instances where true crime has influenced real-life legal cases:

Adnan Syed’s Case Influenced by ‘Serial’ Podcast

Adnan Syed had been imprisoned for over ten years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend when the “Serial” podcast aired in 2014 and changed everything. Journalist Sarah Koenig examined the evidence used to convict him, revealing discrepancies that raised significant doubts about the case.

A key piece of evidence was an alibi witness who claimed she was with Syed at the time the murder allegedly occurred. Although the podcast did not assert Syed’s innocence, it inspired large public campaigns advocating for his release.

In 2022, Syed was released from prison after his conviction was overturned. The judge found that prosecutors had improperly hidden evidence during the original trial. Subsequent DNA testing indicated his potential innocence, leading the prosecution to drop all charges.

Currently, Syed’s case remains entangled in legal complexities as of 2024, with his conviction being reinstated following claims from the victim’s family that their rights were violated during the proceedings that resulted in his release.

Despite the reinstatement of the conviction, Syed remains out on bail as he prepares for a new hearing.

“If not for Sarah Koenig’s efforts, Adnan Syed would likely be just another forgotten case,” remarked Deirdre Enright, a professor of law and founder of the Innocence Project at the University of Virginia, featured in the podcast.

The ‘Jinx’ Documentary and Robert Durst

Conversely, in a different case, a documentary led to severe repercussions. Robert Durst, who passed away in 2022, gained notoriety from the 2015 series “The Jinx,” where prosecutors alleged he confessed to murdering his friend in 2000.

Durst, aged 78 at his conviction, was found guilty of killing Susan Berman, who he reportedly murdered to keep her silent about his wife’s disappearance in 1982, a case for which he was never charged.

The HBO documentary “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” aired in early 2015. In a notable moment, Durst was captured on a live microphone stating, “I killed them all,” which, along with other incriminating evidence, solidified his guilt. Prior to this, he became well-known due to the film “All Good Things” in 2010 about his life.

Engaging in this media spotlight often impacts real cases significantly, revealing how public interest can shift legal tides.

In a court statement reported by the Associated Press, he described his appearance in the 2015 documentary as “a very, very, very big mistake.”

Brandon Dassey and ‘Making a Murderer’

The Netflix series “Making a Murderer” almost led to Brandon Dassey’s release from his life sentence. Dassey was found guilty in 2007 of first-degree intentional homicide, corpse mutilation, and second-degree sexual assault related to the death of photographer Teresa Halbach. He was said to have assisted his uncle, Steven Avery, who was also sentenced to life in a separate case.

Upon its release in late 2015, the series raised serious questions regarding Dassey’s confession to the police, given when he was still a teenager. Following the documentary, there was a significant public outcry to have Dassey’s conviction overturned, supported by advocates and legal experts who argued that his confession had been coerced and that there was no forensic evidence connecting him to the crime.

As a result, a federal magistrate nullified his conviction, bringing him close to freedom, until a split appeals court reinstated it. In 2018, the Supreme Court chose not to review his case, maintaining the conviction.

The Menendez Brothers

During the Menendez brothers’ original trial, they testified about suffering severe physical and sexual abuse from their father. Their lawyers contended that their parents’ actions made the brothers believe they were in imminent danger of being killed, prompting them to act in self-defense.

The first jury could not reach a verdict, leading to a retrial where much of the abuse testimony was excluded, according to their defense team and family members.

This situation was adapted into the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” followed by a two-hour documentary that renewed focus on a case that once captured significant media attention, now propelled by online platforms and social networks.

Kim Kardashian even wrote an opinion article urging for a reassessment of their sentences. She noted that widespread ignorance and stigma surrounding boyhood sexual abuse negatively influenced their chances for a fair trial.

“I have spent time with Lyle and Erik; they are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men,” she wrote in her NBC News piece. “I don’t believe that keeping them in prison for the rest of their lives is the appropriate punishment for such a complex case.”

In a recent announcement advocating for resentencing, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón indicated that he was looking into new evidence of the alleged abuse, noting an increase in inquiries to his office following the documentary’s air.