Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch are candidly discussing how they really feel about the Menéndez brothers.
The actors – who portray Lyle and Erik Menéndez, respectively, on Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story – opened up about stepping into their “really intense” roles and the aftermath of filming the controversial series in a new interview with Vanity Fair published earlier this month.
Season 2 of the Netflix series, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, explores the brothers’ claims that they were sexually, physically and emotionally abused by their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez. Erik, 53, and Lyle, 56, are both currently serving out their sentences of life without parole in California’s Donovan Correctional Facility after being arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder. They became persons of interest after their parents were found shot dead in their home.
“I believe both of them,” Koch, 28, told the outlet. “I believe everything that they said on the stand to be true.”
Chavez, 25, however, was more hesitant to issue as strong of a statement about the brothers: “I came to a really unique conclusion, but I’ve also come to the conclusion that I don’t really want to share what that is with anyone, and that I really want to keep that part of my artistry and my interpretation to myself.”
Koch also reflected on visiting the brothers in prison with Kim Kardashian and producer and criminal justice reform advocate Scott Budnick in September. Though he had previously spoken to Lyle, at the time, Koch had yet to talk to Erik, who had a negative reaction to Monsters before its September release.
“It makes sense that he would feel that way,” he said. “This is the worst part of his life being televised for millions of people to see, and not to mention in this dramatized, fictionalized, Hollywood TV way. I get how he feels, and I stand by him.”
Noting that he ended his visit with Lyle and Erik by embracing them, Koch continued, “I got to give them a hug and look them in the eyes and just tell them that I believe them and I stand with them, and I’ll do everything I can to advocate for them.”
He added, “I know where I stand. I know what my point of view is, and that point of view aligns with all of the people on TikTok who support them. I know that I did everything that I could to support them and advocate for them in my performance, and portray them as authentically as possible. And if people are criticizing it, I know that I did everything I could.”
Lyle and Erik were arrested in March 1990 after they admitted in a confession to their therapist – which they didn’t realize was being taped – that they had killed their parents following years of alleged abuse. They were found guilty of first-degree murder and were sentenced to life without parole in 1996.
Though their prior attempts to appeal the decision were denied, recent projects like Monsters, the Menéndez Brothers documentary and more have seemingly helped offer the siblings another chance at resentencing.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced that a new hearing was set due to new evidence in Lyle and Erik’s murder case. The pair’s legal team previously filed a petition with the court after singer Roy Rosselló alleged he was drugged and raped by their father as a teenager.
Gascón said in the press conference that there could be potential for resentencing or possibly even a new trial. The court date is set for Tuesday, November 26.
