Monsters Real Story: The much-awaited series of the week MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was released on Netflix on September 19, 2024. Created by critically acclaimed Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, Netflix's MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a 9-episode series based on the horrific true story of real-life brothers Lyle & Erik who killed their parents allegedly to take over the million-dollar fortune. MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a true story based on 'the case of the real-life brothers convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents, Joss and Kitty Menendez'. Since you have landed on this page, True Scoop News assumes that you are aware of Netflix's Monsters Real Story and wondering about real-life Doctor Jerome Oziel aka Dr. Oziel whose testimony turned out to be essential for putting both the brothers behind bars.
Who is Doctor Jerome Oziel?
Doctor Jerome Oziel aka Dr. Oziel was the therapist of infamous brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez. Actor Dallas Roberts plays the character of Dr Jerome Oziel in Ryan Murphy's latest series. In the first episode of the series, the makers have showcased that Erik Menendez confessed to the murder of his parents to Dr Jerome Oziel assuming that their conversation is privileged and confidential. Furthermore, Erik was getting suicidal nightmares that forced him to share the truth behind Jose & Kitty Menendez's murder and ultimately to confession.
Ultimately, the notes from the therapist Dr Jerome Oziel, a shotgun casing and a screenplay pointed to Lyle and Erik, whom prosecutors claimed were privileged, spoiled, and eager to cash in on their father's $14 million fortune. Lyle and Erik had three separate trials, during which they alleged that Jose (their father) was physically, emotionally, and sexually abusive and that Kitty was addicted to drugs and alcohol, physically abusive, and an enabler of Jose.
Talking about the Menendez brothers' real-life therapist Dr. Oziel, they were arrested after Judalon Smyth reported to police that the younger sibling had confessed to the murders during therapy. Notably, in the first episode, actress Leslie Grossman who plays Judalon Smyth was seen sitting outside the therapist's room. Judalon Smyth was informed by Dr. Oziel that Erik has confessed during the therapy.
Judalon Smyth was the mistress of the brothers’ psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel. Dr. Jerome Oziel shared the confidential information with her, including the existence of audiotapes of the confession. During the trial, Erik’s defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, worked to discredit Oziel, accusing him of manipulating and exploiting patients.
Real Life Menendez Brothers' Therapist Doctor Jerome Oziel
What happened to Dr. Oziel?
In 1997, Dr. Oziel was stripped of his psychology license after being “accused by a state panel of breaking confidentiality rules and having sex with female patients.”. By that time, Oziel had already moved out of California and was no longer practicing. His lawyer explained to a US media outlet, “It just made no sense to come back to California and spend many thousands of dollars defending a license he doesn’t use in a state he doesn’t reside in.” As of September 2024, Dr. Oziel—now going by Jerry Oziel—is living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and working at the Marital Mediation Center.