in 1993, the murder trials of lyle and erik menendez captivated the country. >>> in 1993, the murder trials of lyle and erik menendez captivated the country. tv networks were clamoring to get their menendez made-for-tv movies ready to air once the verdicts were read. for 6 months, public opinion was divided between seeing the menendez brothers as cold-blooded murderers or victims of unthinkable abuse. what would each jury decide? >> so much had happened during the 6 months, i think, that the trial went on, that it almost became, like, unclear what verdict the jury should come back with. >> the menendez jurors were faced with five different choices. they could vote for first or second-degree murder, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter or acquittal. there was quite a bit of debate on what was the level of the responsibility of the brothers. >> deliberations began in december. at court tv, we clearly kept viewers updated on what was going on, which was that nothing was going on. >> what does it say when the deliberations have gone on so many days? and you're sa

>> brothers lyle and erik menendez late this afternoon were brought into a beverly hills courtroom andons, their sons that they had raised with a silver spoon in their mouths, were the killers, i wasn't stunned. i was just disgusted. >> both brothers are being charged with both murders. we believe that both brothers were involved -- actively involved in the murders. >> both charges are official circumstances for which you could be sentenced to death. do you understand the charges? >> yes, your honor. >> it was extremely difficult for the menendez family to process the arrest of erik and lyle for the murders of their parents. they couldn't believe it. they said it wasn't possible. >> you believe strongly in the boys' innocence? >> extremely. you can't -- you cannot imagine how strongly i believe in that. i -- i cannot -- i don't have words to say how strong i feel about the complete impossibility of them having committed the act that they're accused of. >> i think anybody that knew these boys couldn't imagine that they could've shot their parents. >> twenty-two-year-old joseph lyle mene