Leslie was one of the most highly publicized names throughout Lyle and Erik’s 1990s trials. See pics of her from then and now.
Brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez were involved in one of America’s most well-known celebrity criminal trials. The siblings killed their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in August 1989, claiming that they were subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse throughout their childhoods. During their 1990s trials, attorney Leslie Abramson was at the forefront of their case.
Leslie initially represented Erik in court, then both him and his brother up until their 1996 conviction. In the latest adaptation of the brothers’ case, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Leslie was played by actress Ari Graynor. Ari told Variety in October 2024 that the real-life Leslie “really took a step back” following the Menendez siblings’ 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.”
Scroll through the gallery to see photos of Leslie during the Menendez brothers’ trial and throughout the 2000s, below.
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Leslie Abramson Talking to Erik Menendez in 1994
Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie and Erik spoke during the brothers’ 1994 trial in Los Angeles.
October 7, 2024, 9:16AM 2 of 6
Leslie Abramson at the Menendez Brothers’ Trial
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie listened in as the Menendez brothers’ 1990s case played out in court.
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Leslie Abramson in Court
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie defended Erik first, but then represented both him and his brother, Lyle.
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Leslie Abramson Speaking to Reporters
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
The defense attorney was constantly hounded by reporters during the Menendez brothers’ highly publicized trial.
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Leslie Abramson in Court
Kim Kulish/Sygma via Getty Images
Leslie stood up in court to present the brothers’ side of the story.
October 7, 2024, 9:16AM
More AboutLyle Menendez
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Leslie Abramson in 2007
Lucy Nicholson-Pool/Getty Images
Leslie, who retired from practicing law, appeared at the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector in 2007.
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