OPINION: Despite the fanfare of the Menendez case, revisiting famous convictions hurts more than it helps

Photo via Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility/Public domain/Wikimedia Commons

Marc Goldstein, a Junior studying Journalism, argues that true crime shows and movies might not be as good as they might seem as they create issues for victims.

Netflix has made a habit of making documentaries and series surrounding one of the biggest fascinations of the American public: true crime. For years, the company has churned out countless shows that document the most horrific and notable events in American history. Netflix is not the only platform making these series as Hulu, Max (formerly HBO Max) and others have all thrown their hats into the ring of true crime documentaries. However, Netflix is the zenith of the genre with over 75 shows and movies. 

The latest edition to the collection of burgeoning crime series has a pair of levels to it. Netflix released Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story a couple of weeks ago. The show captivated audiences as it broke the usual mold of being a documentary and instead was a dramatic rendition of the murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez. Then, just last week, Netflix released the companion to the previous series, a documentary titled The Menendez Brothers. The latter of the two releases was a fact-based rendition of the show that focused more on the emotions of the characters and from the perspective of the brothers despite not actually consulting them before production. 

The problem with these shows is not the fact that they are popular. It would be wrong to condemn these streaming services for making these shows and movies, because there is no denying that they are incredibly interesting and, in the strangest way possible, fun to watch. The problem lies with the fact that the greater public latches on to these true-crime cases and an outcry of support for the reversal in some cases hurts victims and their families. 

In the case that has been brought to the spotlight recently, the Menendez brothers have reported that they have new evidence to bring up and would like the case to be reopened. The pair escaped the death penalty during their sentencing in the late 1990s, but still face life sentences without parole. The publicity the brothers have received from the shows allows for the guilty parties to return to the public eye and have another chance at freedom. 

That is not to say that new evidence capable of exonerating some is a bad thing, but one of the factors in the popularity of these shows is how physically attractive the actors and actors are. Take the Menendez show for example. Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch, who play Lyle and Erik Menendez, respectively, have gained immense fame and popularity simply for the roles played in the show. There is a large population of viewers who simply want to see the case reopened because the actors in the show were attractive. 

However, the adverse impact of these cases being reevaluated with new devices (social media, new technology, etc.) forces the victims and their families to relive a very difficult time in their lives. The constant dragging out of some of these cases in the judicial system negatively impacts the victims and their families, who may be unable to escape online discourse about their traumatic experiences. 

This issue does not have an easy solution. On one hand, these cases can be looked at in private to mitigate the amount of trauma dredging some of the publicity creates. Additionally, there can be a period when new evidence can be brought up, allowing both sides to have the proper amount of time away to not drag up the excruciating details of some of these crimes. 

These true crime documentaries are not going to stop any time soon. That is clear. As long as the public is engaged and the ratings are good, there is no reason for them to cease to be produced. However, some of the adverse effects, the victim blaming and glorification of the guilty parties, should stop.

Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.