It’s been an unusual time regarding high profile criminal cases in California of late in both reality and fiction, Charles Manson died last November in Bakersfield, California for instance. In recent years, television studios have brought criminal cases that made national news back into the spotlight, with The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story and Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders.

The above cases were thrust into the minds of millions of Americans in the late 1980’s and mid 1990’s, thanks to around-the-clock coverage by major news outlets. For probably the first time in history, the average citizen was able to weigh in on what was happening inside a courtroom. Few can deny the far-reaching impact that the O.J. and Menendez brothers trials had on the American public.

Concerning the former, few high-profile cases went so far to split the American public; regardless if Simpson was thought to be guilty or not, sides were taken. When jurors read O.J.’s verdict aloud, it was like one half of the nation rejoiced while the other was angered. The Menendez brothers’ murder cases were an entirely different animal than the O.J. trial, perhaps the public’s fascination stemmed from their disbelief: how could two young men with the world at their fingertips conspire to murder their sleeping parents savagely? The answer to the question will never be fully understood.

The Menendez Brothers Reunite

In the last 365 days, O.J. Simpson was released from a Nevada prison after serving nine years for crimes unrelated to the double murders; and, the Menendez brothers, Lyle (50) and Erik (47), reunited at San Diego’s R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility. It’s the first time the brothers have been housed to together since the trial when Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18, CBS News reports. Today, and thanks to good behavior, the brothers are participating in educational and rehabilitation programs together.

“The department could find no reason they could not be in the same prison,” corrections department spokeswoman Terry Thornton told the New York Daily News. 

Thornton points out that former crime partners living under the same prison roof or sharing a cell are not unprecedented.

Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you, or a loved one, face criminal charges, please contact The Law Office of Ronald G. Brower. With over 30 years of experience, attorney Brower can give you the best chance of finding a favorable outcome.