Jon Leiberman reports on the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in one of America’s most notorious family crime cases.

Beverly Hills

Lyle and Eric Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills. Initially, the brothers claimed to have discovered the crime scene, but suspicion shifted after their lavish spending and a confession to a psychologist. The prosecution argued the motive was financial gain, while the defense claimed years of abuse by their father and complicity by their mother. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but both were convicted in a retrial and sentenced to life without parole. 

Decades later, new evidence surfaced, including a letter from Eric describing abuse and additional allegations against Jose Menendez. Following renewed public interest and a review by prosecutors, a judge resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole.

Revisiting the Menendez Brothers’ infamous murder case

The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Eric, and the murders that shocked America. Beverly Hills, California, August 1989. The Menendez family seemed to have it all, but the night of August 20th, a gruesome scene unfolded inside their mansion. Jose and Kitty Menendez were found shot to death. At first, Lyle, 21, and Eric, 18, told police they'd come home from the movies to a nightmare. Beverly Hills Emergency. Sorry to kill my parents. Pardon me? Sorry to kill my parents. Investigators initially suspected a mob hit, given Jose's high-profile career in the entertainment industry and rumors of business enemies. But suspicion soon shifted. Within months, the brothers were spending lavishly. Rolex watches, designer clothes, real estate, and luxury cars, burning through nearly $700,000 of their parents' fortune. The case broke open when Eric confessed to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, that he and Lyle had killed their parents. Dr. Oziel's mistress, Judilon Smith, tipped off police, and audio tapes of the confession sealed the brothers' fate. Arrested in March of 1990, the Menendez brothers faced charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, making them eligible for the death penalty. The trial that followed would become one of the most sensational in American history, broadcast live, captivating millions and dividing the nation. Inside the courtroom, prosecutors argued the motive was greed. Lyle and Eric killed to inherit their parents' $14 million estate, especially after learning they might be disinherited. But the defense told a much different story. Between the ages of six and eight, did your father have sexual contact with you? Yes. He just said that it was our secret, that bad things would happen to me if I told anybody. Both brothers testified to years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their father, Jose. Lyle said the abuse began when he was six. Eric said his never stopped. They claimed their mother, Kitty, was emotionally unstable and complicit. Friends and relatives backed up claims of a dysfunctional home. But the prosecution insisted the abuse allegations were fabricated, a desperate attempt to avoid justice. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but in the retrial, the judge limited evidence about abuse and barred TV cameras from the courtroom. This time, both brothers were convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In July 1996, Lyle and Eric Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. For decades, the Menendez case has haunted America, raising questions about family, abuse, and justice. In recent years, new evidence has emerged, a letter Eric wrote to his cousin months before the murders describing ongoing abuse and allegations from others that Jose Menendez preyed on children outside his family. In 2025, after a wave of public interest and new reviews by prosecutors, a judge resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole. John Lieberman, Scripps News Group.

Israel is still limiting the number of aid trucks allowed to enter Gaza nearly a week after a ceasefire deal was agreed. It’s told the United Nations will only allow 300 per day - that's half the minimum number agreed under the truce.
The UN says even 600 trucks entering daily would not be enough to meet the needs of the population.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Gaza ceasefire fears as Israel limits aid trucks to less than agreed

President Trump confirmed that he has authorised the CIA to go into Venezuela and conduct covert operations.

Washington

Trump says he authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela

Hamas is back on the streets of Gaza in an attempt, it says, to restore law and order -- and to send a message.

Hamas executes Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel

A federal judge in Oregon has extended temporary restraining orders that block the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland. Meanwhile, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas to disperse a crowd after a car chase ended in a crash.

Chicago

Federal agents deploy tear gas in Chicago despite court order

A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily ordered the Trump administration to halt the firing of workers during the government shutdown.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump from firing workers during shutdown

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is traveling to the U.S. to meet with President Trump. The two leaders are expected to discuss the possibility of the U.S. supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles.

Ukraine Invasion

Trump to meet with Zelenskyy about long-range missiles

The U.S. military struck a fifth apparent Venezuelan boat allegedly carrying drugs, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media Tuesday. CBS News' Natalie Brand has more details.

Caracas

Trump says U.S. struck another alleged Venezuelan boat

News organizations including The New York Times, The Associated Press and Newsmax as well as ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News say they will not sign new press rules as laid out in a Defense Department document. This could mean the Trump administration will evict reporters from the Pentagon.

Major U.S. news media outlets refusing to sign new Pentagon rules

Madagascar’s president ousted in a military takeover — Youth-led protests and parliament’s impeachment vote spark political turmoil.

Antananarivo

Madagascar's military seizes power, president ousted

Thousands of messages shared in a group chat of Young Republicans are revealing some racist thoughts that even they worried about being leaked. The exchanges obtained by Politico are part of a Telegram chat among Young Republican leaders in New York, Kansas, Arizona and Vermont. Jason Beeferman, New York state politics reporter for Politico, joins with more.

Politico exposes racist messages sent by Young Republican leaders

The U.S. stock market rebounded on Monday (October 13) after President Trump appeared to walk back imposing new tariffs on Chinese goods.

Markets rebound after Trump softens tone on China tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump is heading back to the U.S. after his whirlwind trip to the Middle East, where he celebrated the first phase of a peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Middle East Conflict

Trump, world leaders sign Gaza peace plan and discuss next steps

The government shutdown entered its third week on Monday as the Senate is set to reconvene on Tuesday. CBS News' Nikole Killion has more from Capitol Hill.

Shutdown drags into third week as Senate set to reconvene

U.S. President Donald Trump was greeted in Tel Aviv with cheers and a military ceremony as he met families of hostages held in Gaza and addressed Israel's parliament. He now travels to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to join world leaders in discussions on Gaza's future.

Trump meets with Israeli leaders and hostage families

Twenty living hostages were released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity as a ceasefire continues to hold. Families in Israel describe emotional reunions while others continue to await confirmation about missing relatives.

Families reunite as ceasefire brings hostages, prisoners home

Israeli officials have confirmed that all 20 living captives have been released in Gaza.

Israel confirms all 20 living captives in Gaza have been released

The carefully choreographed Israel-Hamas exchange is underway, with Israel set to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners following the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza. Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.

Israel-Hamas swap begins as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set for release

Following his visit to Israel, President Trump will stop in Egypt to co-host a major summit in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The meeting will bring together leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss efforts toward peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.

Donald Trump to co-host chair Gaza peace summit in Egypt

The French presidency announced Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's new cabinet line-up on Sunday (October 12), with most top jobs remaining unchanged at a time when opponents are demanding a political shift to win their support for urgent budget talks.

Paris

French presidency unveils new cabinet as budget pressure intensifies

Seven captives have been handed over to the Red Cross, who will facilitate their transfer to Israeli forces.

Israeli military says Red Cross has received 7 captives in Gaza

On his way to the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he expects the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to hold, despite concerns Hamas won’t abide by the deal.

Trump says the 'war is over', Gaza rebuild to start immediately

China on Sunday (October 12) called U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs on Chinese goods hypocritical and defended its curbs on exports of rare earth elements and equipment, but stopped short of imposing new levies on U.S. products.

Beijing

Global Tariffs

Beijing blames U.S. for trade tensions, defends rare earth curbs

Afghanistan and Pakistan said they killed dozens of each other's troops during a night of heavy border clashes between the two countries. Afghanistan's Taliban forces launched attacks on Pakistani troops along their shared border in what it called "retaliation for air strikes carried out by the Pakistani army on Kabul".

Chaman

Border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan leave dozens dead

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held in Gaza for a third day ahead of the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an address by U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel's parliament.

Ceasefire holds in Gaza ahead of hostage release, Trump visit

Zelenskyy called Trump for a second consecutive day to discuss defence and Ukraine's energy sector. It comes as Russia further intensifies its attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure ahead of its harsh winter.

Kyiv

Zelenskyy has second call with Trump amid Russian strikes

On Sunday, the minister of armed forces in Madagascar acknowledged an officer selected by a military group supporting demonstrators calling for President Andry Rajoelina to resign as the country's new army chief.

Madagascar’s president says coup underway

With a trade war between the U.S. and China intensifying ahead of a Nov. 1 tariff deadline, there’s growing concern Beijing will use Taiwan as a bargaining chip.

Taipei City

Growing fear China will use Taiwan to bargain with U.S.

In a televised address ahead of the planned release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for unity despite ongoing divisions.

Netanyahu urges Israel put aside ‘differences’ with Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Democrats for his decision to lay off thousands of workers across the U.S. government as he followed through on his threat to cut the federal workforce during the government shutdown.

Trump lays off thousands of U.S. government workers amid shutdown

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv as 48 of the last remaining hostages are expected home after two years of the Israel-Hamas war. The crowd cheered Donald Trump as the peace deal's broker but there were jeers for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Breakdown