Netflix's Menendez Brothers Doc: What Cooper Koch Thinks They Missed!
Netflix's Menendez Brothers Doc: A Look at What Was Left Out
Netflix's new Menendez Brothers docuseries is a wild ride revisiting that infamous case. But actor Cooper Koch (who played Erik Menendez in Monsters) thinks it missed some huge details! This isn't some obscure point or trivial aspect: These are elements that impact the credibility and how the court should respond! Koch, a known supporter of the brothers, even met them in prison; and recently appeared on Watch What Happens Live where he made his comments clear.
The doc focused on the brothers' story— the murders, the trials, everything leading to the event itself, however these key new plot developments were missing completely. It could impact things significantly!
Here's what he said: "I thought they did a great job. I thought they left out a couple of pieces of information that would have been great to have in there, which is the two pieces of new evidence that have come out, which is the letter that Erik wrote to his cousin Andy. And then also, a member of Menudo [Roy Rosselló] came out about also having been sexually molested by José Menendez."
The Menendez Brothers Case: A Shifting Narrative
The Menendez brothers' case shocked everyone in 1993. The trial was huge, attracting 1.3 million viewers. But the 1996 retrial blocked evidence of abuse–a massively critical misstep–that could change the entire case and the final verdict completely! Years later, that changed thanks to TikTok–helping change perceptions.
TikTok's revival highlighted a key issue with how society responded: The narrative went from “cold-blooded killers” to "potential trauma survivors”. That resonates even today and helps viewers understand why younger generations are reassessing the case— recognizing the importance and possibilities that men might also be victims, in ways previously unheard and largely unknown!
New Evidence: The Cousin's Letter and the Menudo Revelation
Koch mentioned two key new pieces of evidence completely excluded from the Netflix series which could change the entire perception of the brothers! This letter; written by Erik to his cousin Andy Cano (eight months before the murders), detailing his father's abuse. Cano testified in 1993, yet his statements at that time and the letter now together strengthen Erik's claims which ultimately affect how he was treated and received from the judicial systems involved; but these details lacked due recognition. Another key factor impacting those same judicial decisions; the allegations from former Menudo member Roy Rosselló accusing José Menendez of sexual assault (revealed in the Peacock docuseries Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed). This added serious credibility which should've been considered and integrated during those initial trial stages! This greatly shifted that narrative around their stated motivation—abuse from their parents.
The Netflix doc didn't show these. The producers told The Hollywood Reporter they left this out: "We were leaving that up to the attorneys currently fighting with the habeas petition.”
The Upcoming Hearing: A Chance for Justice (or More Delays)
This changed how everyone understands and revisits this highly contentious situation that surrounds these notorious cases! There's a new hearing scheduled November 29th, this is occurring because Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón admitted the new evidence; showcasing a changed outlook on such difficult legal proceedings, and how society deals with individuals that encounter sexual violence and abuse which had affected previous judgements and decisions immensely!
That hearing could change everything. A retrial, re-sentencing—even parole, those outcomes highlight the possibility and significance and impacts of properly integrating that previously missing information to fully recognize the difficulties those affected face and thus allow for reassessment in these very serious trials! The new evidence might also affect how these events will unfold. This depends largely upon how those judicial systems may interpret the impact of those new data points in combination with prior data!
Conclusion: A Long and Winding Road Towards Justice?
The Menendez case isn’t merely about who did it (or even the “why”), that was never the main point in most situations here, and only impacted by a biased lens and understanding of those difficult issues and dynamics surrounding individuals with prior traumas and their motivations toward their final actions, thus changing societal impact in general, even if that does occur slightly indirectly. The documentary and its omissions highlighted those missed critical opportunities for reassessment. Those new details and those potential future consequences will add incredible new layers to those prior debates.
Koch's comments bring important discussions and this additional reassessment surrounding how men in particular handle and address trauma. It deserves revisiting – especially with those potential results from that November hearing that will add further momentum. The possible shift in how people and judicial bodies deal with men (as survivors) deserves recognition.
