In Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Ari Graynor plays one of the most fascinating characters in the series: Leslie Abramson, the Menendez brothers‘ attorney. Though the Netflix show centers around Lyle and Erik—who murdered their parents in 1989—it’s hard not to notice Abramson’s tough-as-nails character.
Of course, Abramson doesn’t shy away from defending Lyle and Erik. When the boys identify themselves as victims of sexual abuse, she believes them—and prepares them to talk about it in court. During their trial, the prosecution argues that Lyle and Erik had other motives for the attack and tried to downplay the psychological effects of sexual assault. Still, Abrams was steadfast in her defense. She didn’t think the Menendez brothers were as monstrous as people assumed. After working on the Menendez brothers’ case, she wrote a book called The Defense is Ready: Life in the Trenches of Criminal Law.
Graynor is the latest actress to play Abramson, but the defense attorney has been portrayed before. Edie Flaco played Abramson in a 2017 episode of Law & Order. At the time, The Wrap asked how she felt about being turned into a TV character. Her response? “Oh boy, I have nothing to say. Absolutely nothing. Goodbye.”
Abramson did not work on Monsters and has not commented on the show. Here’s everything you need to know about her fascinating career.
Who is Leslie Abramson?
Abramson attended law school at UCLA and spent six years working as a public defender before taking on more high-profile cases. According to Vanity Fair, in her heyday, Abramson was considered “the most brilliant Los Angeles defense layer for death-row cases.” In 1990, Abramson got Dr.Kahld Parwes acquitted after he was accused of strangling and dismembering his child. Eight years later, she negotiated a manslaughter charge for Arnel Salvatierra, a 17-year-old boy who killed his father. Abramson argued that he was a victim of child abuse.
By the time she worked for the Menendez brothers, Abramson had built quite a reputation. The Los Angeles Times described her as a “4 ft 11, fire-eating, mud-slinging, nuclear-strength pain in the legal butt.”
When Abramson was hired to represent the Menendez brothers, she defended them with vigor and believed they were victims of abuse. In 1996, she shared her opinion of Lyle and Erik with the The Washington Post. “I’ve represented people charged with murder for 27 years, and these guys just don’t measure up to anybody else I’ve ever represented,” she said. “These are not murderers. These are troubled kids in a very difficult and grotesque home environment, and they cracked.”
After the trial, Abramson’s ethics were called into question. The New York Times reports that Abramson asked Dr. William Vicary, a defense witness, to remove material from his notes during Erik’s trial. She believed the information was privileged, but her request raised a few eyebrows. Ultimately, the State Bar of California opted not to investigate. Sandi Gibbons, a spokesperson for the district attorney, said, “We reviewed the relevant transcripts and have concluded that this office should not investigate this matter.”
What Did Leslie Abramson Think About the Menendez Brothers’ Verdict?
After two trials, the Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison. Abramson didn’t agree with the verdict. According to The Los Angeles Times, she argued that Jose and Kitty Menendez “practically pushed their sons to kill them.” At a press conference, Abramson called the verdict “exceedingly cruel and heartless.”
Where Is Leslie Abramson Now?
Abramson is retired. She has two children—a daughter from her first marriage and a son she adopted while working on the Menendez brothers’ case. In 2001, Abramson and her husband, Tim Rutten, reportedly moved into a home outside of Los Angeles. They eventually divorced, and Rutten died in 2022.
These days, Abramson tends to stay out of the public eye, but in 2015, she delivered a speech in support of female lawyers at the San Diego Thomas Jefferson Law School. “What I think is something necessary to be a great criminal lawyer is something I think women already have,” she said. “A desire to understand people and human relationships.”
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