Current:Home > ContactJerome Oziel, therapist who heard Menendez brothers' confession, portrayed in Netflix show -DataFinance
Jerome Oziel, therapist who heard Menendez brothers' confession, portrayed in Netflix show
View
Date:2025-04-11 16:29:38
The story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who fatally shot their parents in 1989, can't be told without therapist Jerome Oziel, who heard their confession and plays a central role in season 2 of Netflix's anthology series "Monster."
"The Walking Dead" actor Dallas Roberts plays the disgraced therapist in "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," which released on Thursday. The second season of the anthology series chronicles the Menendez brothers and the brutal killing of their parents at their Beverly Hills, California home on Aug. 20, 1989.
During the brothers' trial, Lyle and Erik argued that years of abuse led to the killing of José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez. The brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Who is Jerome Oziel?
Oziel is the former therapist of Erik and Lyle Menendez who heard them confess to murdering their parents and served as a key witness in their trial.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
In court, Oziel testified that he was sought out after officials implicated Erik in 1988 of two Calabasas burglaries, according to the Los Angeles Times. At the first trial, Oziel said the brothers confessed their crimes to him after a few months of sessions.
During cross-examination, defense attorneys tried to impugn his credibility by focusing on an alleged affair Oziel had with a woman, the Times reported.
An Arizona State University alum, Oziel earned a doctorate in clinical psychology and resided in South Carolina for two years before moving to California, the Times reported. While living in Beverly Hills, he opened a private practice and taught courses at the University of Southern California. As a therapist, he was considered in expert in various phobias and sex-related disorders.
What happened to Jerome Oziel?
Oziel testified that the Menendez brothers threatened his life but they ultimately did not harm their therapist.
On Jan. 3, 1997, the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Psychology revoked Oziel's therapist license after a state panel accused him of engaging in sexual conduct with patients and breaking confidentiality rules, the Times reported. He did not admit to any wrongdoing.
He no longer lives in California.
"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," his attorney previously told the Times.
How to watch 'Monsters: The Lyke and Erik Menendez Story'
All nine episodes of "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" premiered on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Cast of 'The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'
- Javier Bardem as José Menendez
- Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez
- Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez
- Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez
- Dallas Roberts as Dr. Jerome Oziel
- Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne
- Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson
- Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth
- Jason Butler Harner as Les Zoeller
- Enrique Murciano as Carlos Baralt
Contributing: Taylor Ardrey
veryGood! (988)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Has JPMorgan Chase grown too large? A former White House economic adviser weighs in
- BaubleBar 4th of July Sale: These $10 Deals Are Red, White and Cute
- Well, It's Still Pride Is Reason Enough To Buy These 25 Rainbow Things
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- The origins of the influencer industry
- Lack of Loggers Is Hobbling Arizona Forest-Thinning Projects That Could Have Slowed This Year’s Devastating Wildfires
- Ahead of COP27, New Climate Reports are Warning Shots to a World Off Course
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- And Just Like That, Sarah Jessica Parker Shares Her Candid Thoughts on Aging
Ranking
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Inside Clean Energy: Here’s How Compressed Air Can Provide Long-Duration Energy Storage
- Celebrating Victories in Europe and South America, the Rights of Nature Movement Plots Strategy in a Time of ‘Crises’
- North Carolina Hurricanes Linked to Increases in Gastrointestinal Illnesses in Marginalized Communities
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- From Spring to Fall, New York Harbor Is a Feeding Ground for Bottlenose Dolphins, a New Study Reveals
- Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian Showcases Baby Bump in Elevator Selfie
- Analysis: Fashion Industry Efforts to Verify Sustainability Make ‘Greenwashing’ Easier
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Inside Clean Energy: Who’s Ahead in the Race for Offshore Wind Jobs in the US?
Why the Chesapeake Bay’s Beloved Blue Crabs Are at an All-Time Low
Scientists Are Pursuing Flood-Resistant Crops, Thanks to Climate-Induced Heavy Rains and Other Extreme Weather
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Tucker Carlson ousted at Fox News following network's $787 million settlement
Warming Trends: Laughing About Climate Change, Fighting With Water and Investigating the Health Impacts of Fracking
How Prince Harry and Prince William Are Joining Forces in Honor of Late Mom Princess Diana
Like
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- The US May Have Scored a Climate Victory in Congress, but It Will Be in the Hot Seat With Other Major Emitters at UN Climate Talks
- Cyberattacks on health care are increasing. Inside one hospital's fight to recover