When it comes to the Menendez case, it’s hard to say exactly where the truth lies. That’s doubly true when it comes to Dr. Jerome Oziel and Judalon Smith, two secondary characters who become central to each case, largely due to their complicated romantic relationship.
This is also the case when it comes to Netflix. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Hernandez Story” Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's gambling drama. Played by Dallas Roberts and Leslie Grossman in the series, this is the truth behind the house that was responsible for imprisoning the Menendez men.
What do Dr. Jerome Oziel and Judalon Smith have to do with the Menendez case?
The police in Empora suspected the children were responsible for the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez, and it was Smith who told the police he had heard a confession. He let you do the jail. But, as always with Smith, how you got there is complicated.
Smith was a lover of Dr. Jerome Oziel, Lyle and Erik Menendez's therapist. Oziel was first linked to the robbery in his early years during a 1988 robbery case. The case ended up being attributed to Erik because he was a minor at the time, and Oziel was hired to provide corroboration to the court. After the murders, a distraught Erik told Oziel at his cousin's request.
It’s hard to know exactly what happened after Eric told Ozil, because Ozil, Lyle, Eric, and Smith have different stories. Second: Ozil, Eric confessed to killing his country during the first session. You guys need to get Lyle to join them so we can work on this confession together. While we were waiting for Lyle to be caught, Ozil joined Smith.
Smith claimed that Ozil asked her to come to the office because he was afraid for his life and wanted to testify. She was in the waiting room while Ozil met with Lyle and Eric. It is not clear exactly how Smith was able to obtain these confessions. Smith confirmed that he saw through Ozil’s office door, but at least one reporter had doubts because of the thickness of the wood. It is also possible that Ozil shared this information.
Regardless, Smith fled the office and ended up telling the police about the confession, or he ended up pulling the gun in a hurry. This included a response to the arrest, when Smith had recently testified for the defense and was used to discredit hair therapist Dr. Gravachis during his sessions where scientific forums were frequently used for promotion.
Ozil brainwashing Judalion Smith?
This explains Smith’s long-term transformation. When questioned by prosecutors, Smith quickly admitted that she only told police about Menendez’s confession so that Ozil could be prosecuted. “I am the one who committed the crimes against me, not Lyle or Erik Menendez,” Smith said at the time.
Immediately afterward, Smith accused Oziel of kidnapping and rape. She also said she feared Oziel would try to kill her. Smith and Oziel also had alternate accounts of how she spent time at the doctor's home with his wife and son. Smith claimed this was part of his isolation and brainwashing, while Oziel said it was because Smith was convinced that Menendez had left them to kill them.
During questioning, the prosecutor turned Smith’s face toward Oziel in the woman’s shameful story. But, during a few moments of lighthearted humor, Smith offered a sarcastic response when asked about his desire to work as a therapist. “I didn’t want files that looked like Dr. Oziel’s,” Smith said.
“I don’t know if his motives were so pure. I couldn’t believe she was so concerned about injuries or murders. I guess she has some things to fix.” Leslie Grossman spoke to TheWrap“Fortunately, we have the court records and know that it was all real and more uncanny than any fiction could have written.”
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is already streaming on Netflix.
