Were they really MONSTERS? Behind the scenes of the Menendez brothers' retrial

My client, retired attorney John Martel, served as special counsel on the Menendez brothers' second trial, as well as other high-profile murder trials like O.J. Simpson's.

If you’re watching the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story, you’ll appreciate the perspective of my client, author John Martel, and his brief-yet-impactful, behind-the-scenes insights about the Menendez brothers’ retrial, which he offers in his new memoir, DRIVEN (Christmas Lake Press, April 2024).

DRIVEN
Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-at-Nothing Ambition
by New York Times bestselling author John Martel
Published by Christmas Lake Press (April 2024)

John Martel's memoir, DRIVEN, explores 92 years of relentless ambition, high-profile legal cases, and his indefatigable search for true love.

Born during the depression in rural Modesto, with no family encouragement, John Martel became a college athlete, then an elite U.S. Air Force pilot, a top trial lawyer, a successful singer-songwriter, a national bestselling author, and an international Masters Track and Field high hurdling champion.

Now, at the age of ninety-two, the mystery and suspense writer invites his readers to join him in a candid investigation of his life as he tries to solve the mystery of who or what drove him to a lifetime of frenzied preeminence, in total disregard for his health and happiness.

Combining literature, law, and life lessons, Martel’s memoir reveals the heartfelt reflections of a man who achieved uncanny success in an unprecedented five totally different vocations, only to discover that he had become a victim of his success, a prisoner of his need for recognition and fame. It’s a story of manic ambition, of love lost and regained, and emotional redemption.

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

How did a San Francisco commercial-law trial lawyer get involved in two, high-profile, Los Angeles criminal murder cases?

How did John Martel end up serving on the Menendez Brothers’ murder retrial and the O.J. Simpson trial?

As Martel writes in Chapter 20 of DRIVEN, it all began when District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Gil Garcetti, called Martel and asked if he’d be willing to come down to Los Angeles and consult with his staff on the Menendez brothers’ retrial.

After Martel’s efforts to help reverse the first trial’s conclusions proved successful, he was pleased with the second trial’s verdict — and the recommendation of life without the possibility of parole for the brothers.

“Gil Garcetti was both complementary and grateful,” Martel writes in DRIVEN. “I accepted his thanks and concluded our firm had served the cause of justice well, and that I was finished with the City and County of Los Angeles.

But then, O.J. started killing people.”

Martel goes into even greater detail about the role he served in the O.J. Simpson trial. I know I’m biased, but as a memoir coach, I’ve read Martel’s book more than 10 times, and I always find his observations fascinating.

I loved working with John Martel on his memoir. And, if he looks vaguely familiar, fans of Comedy Central’s award-winning sketch comedy series Key & Peele (K&P) might recognize him from the show’s closing credits:

DRIVEN
Investigating Nine Decades of Stop-at-Nothing Ambition
by New York Times bestselling author John Martel
Published by Christmas Lake Press (April 2024)

Christine Wolf is a memoir coach and author of Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church (Master Wings Publishing, December 2023). Her 2024 coaching roster is full, but sign up here for her waiting list, and learn more about her soon-to-be-released Self-Guided Memoir Course here.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission on purchases made using the links in this newsletter. There is no additional cost to you. I used these small earnings to support the research and writing of this publication.