Overview

• Rosie O'Donnell has described Lyle Menendez as the first 'straight man' she has ever 'loved' and 'trusted,' recounting their deepening friendship since reconnecting in 2022.
• The Menendez brothers, convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, are seeking resentencing in hearings scheduled for April 17-18, which could make them eligible for parole.
• O'Donnell has publicly supported the brothers' long-standing claims that the murders were acts of self-defense stemming from childhood abuse, informed by her own experiences with abuse.
• Her connection with Lyle led her to learn about a prison-led program training service dogs for veterans and children with autism, inspiring her Hulu documentary set to premiere on April 22.
• The case has seen renewed public interest through TikTok discussions, documentaries, and celebrity advocacy, reigniting debates over the fairness of the original conviction.