Days after the premiere of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, Cooper Koch, who plays Erik Menéndez, visited the brothers in prison. He was joined by Kim and Khloé Kardashian, along with their mother, Kris Jenner.
Koch Expresses Nervousness Meeting Menéndez Brothers
In a report by People, Koch, 28, said, “I was so nervous before I got there. I had spoken to both of them, so I knew we already kind of had a camaraderie, and they knew where I stood. I told them I supported them and I believed them. I had a feeling they were going to welcome me with open arms, but still so nerve-racking to meet someone who you’ve been listening to and are inspired by.”
When the moment arrived at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, “there was an immediate connection. I got to hug both of them, and I sat next to Erik in this circle with all the other incarcerated individuals who were telling their stories, and they were both so kind. They’re amazing people,” Koch said.
Koch plays Erik Menéndez, while Nicholas Alexander Chavez portrays Lyle in the Netflix series detailing the brothers’ murder of their parents, José and Kitty. Erik, now 53, expressed through his wife, Tammi Menendez, that he finds the show to be “disheartening slander” with “vile and appalling character portrayals” of both himself and Lyle.
“I get it. I understand that he would feel that way. This is really tough stuff. This is his life, and his life has a lot of trauma. It’s a tragedy. And he’s still in prison, so I understand how difficult it would be. I stand with him,” Koch said of the criticism.
Menéndez Family’s Criticism
Relatives of Erik and Lyle Menéndez also shared their views on Monsters, describing it as “repulsive,” “grotesque,” and an “episodic nightmare” that “ignores the most recent exculpatory revelations.”
“It’s hard,” Koch remarked about hearing the Menéndez family’s perspective.“We did a lot of work, and I just hope they know that I sympathize so much. I understand how difficult this must be for them. This is their family and their lives, and I know they want to bring them home.”
Koch believes Erik and Lyle were “screwed by the social justice system” after their life sentences. This followed the jury’s decision in their second trial in October 1995 to overlook the brothers’ claims of enduring sexual abuse from their father during childhood, after the first trial was declared a mistrial.
“The second trial, they weren’t allowed to talk about the sexual abuse. They had one jury, instead of two. There were no cameras. And the DA who was going to be reelected needed to have a conviction because OJ got off, all the cops from the Rodney King trial got off, so they needed to have someone. I think they were just caught in the perfect storm,” Koch stated.
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