Who Was the Menendez Brothers’ Prosecutor? Meet Pamela Bozanich

Netflix's 'The Menendez Brothers' features different perspectives in Lyle and Erik's case, including prosecutor Pamela Bozanich.

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TRIAL OF BROTHERS LYLE and ERIK MENENDEZ,
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The Menendez Brothers documentary premiered on Netflix just weeks after the streamer’s hit miniseries, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, was released. Now that Lyle and Erik Menendez‘s case is back in the spotlight, the siblings were given a new court hearing scheduled to take place in late 2024 — but not everyone supports them. After viewers watched the brothers’ new doc, many are asking about the trial’s prosecutor, Pamela Bozanich.

At one point in the documentary, Pamela pointed to the new generation and the movement to release Lyle and Erik from prison. The brothers claimed that they fatally shot their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989 because they allegedly subjected Lyle and Erik to emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

“The only reason we’re doing this special is because of the TikTok movement to free the ‘Menendi,’” Pamela said at one point in the doc. “Your beliefs are not facts. They’re just beliefs. And by the way, all you TikTok people, I’m armed. We got guns all over the house, so don’t mess with me.”

Learn more about Pamela Bozanich, below.

Who Is Pamela Bozanich?

Pamela was the Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County. She was assigned to work as the prosecutor against Lyle and Erik during their 1993 murder trial. In The Menendez Brothers doc, Pamela recalled the overwhelming publicity that the case received.

“The day that we did opening statements, I was coming into the courthouse and people were filming me, and I just thought, ‘What the hell have I gotten myself into?’” she said before revealing, “I went in the bathroom and threw up. The only time I’ve ever thrown up during a trial or before a trial or anything. Having the media, there was a nightmare. You don’t have to do that in a normal murder trial.”

Who Were the Menendez Brothers’ Defense Attorney?

Erik was represented by defense attorney Leslie Abramson. She later defended both him and Lyle as the brothers’ case dragged on until their 1996 conviction.

Where Is Leslie Abramson Now?

Not much is known about Leslie’s current life. She no longer practices law, however, and hasn’t been seen in public for years. Actress Ari Graynor, who portrayed Leslie in Monsters, told Variety in October 2024 that Leslie apparently “took a step back” following the Menendez brothers’ trial  “not only because this case in particular was so painful for her, but she also did not mince words about the media and its effects on things.”

If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.