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Of the clever and controversial storytelling devices and tactics that were introduced in Ryan Murphy’s hit series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, one storyline remained a puzzler, particularly after it launched a press war between the hit-making producer and the family of the still-incarcerated brothers.

One of the most watched TV series last year came under fire for the bad-taste inclusion of the incest storyline. Why did a series rooted in facts, while playing with shifts in perspectives, intermittently portray the brothers as having an incestuous relationship? This insinuation, which comes early in the series, leaving its suggestion in the air for the remainder, has no basis in fact and sticks out in a series rooted in actual events. Yet, it was a small piece of the brothers’ story that played out behind the closed doors of a jury room.

Netflix’s limited series portrays the double...

Hazel Thornton, a former juror in the first Menendez brothers’ trial, has voiced her belief that sexism and homophobia led to a flawed 1994 verdict.

Thornton, who served on the jury found Erik and Lyle Menendez guilty of voluntary manslaughter.

She explained in a recent interview with TMZ that male jurors resisted the brothers’ claims of sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez, and felt societal pressure to adopt a “macho” stance.

Thornton highlighted that homophobia was a key issue during the trial, noting that the prosecution suggested family tensions arose from Erik’s alleged homosexuality​.

The hit series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story controversially explored the rumor that the brothers had an incestual relationship.

She further emphasized that even beyond allegations of sexual abuse, over 50 witnesses detailed other forms of abuse the brothers suffered.

Juror believes Menendez trial would receive a different outcome today

While a second trial...