Amanda Knapp
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of murdering their parents in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 2024, it was discovered that the brothers appeared in the background of a 1990 Mark Jackson NBA basketball card, taken after they had killed their parents but before their arrest. This discovery sparked a surge in the value of the card, with collectors and true crime fans seeking it out. The card's price rose from a few cents to hundreds of dollars, with some listings reaching over $1,000. The Menendez brothers' presence on the card has added to their infamy and contributed to their resurgence in the public eye.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1990 |
| Player | Mark Jackson |
| Team | New York Knicks |
| Card Set | 1990-91 Hoops |
| People in the Card | Erik and Lyle Menendez |
| Position of the Menendez Brothers | Bottom left corner, sitting courtside |
| Card Price | $10-$15, $1000+ |
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What You'll Learn
The Menendez brothers' story
On August 20, 1989, José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez were shot and killed in their Beverly Hills home. Their sons, Lyle and Erik Menendez, were soon suspected of the murders. The brothers claimed that unknown intruders were responsible, framing it as a potential mob killing. However, their excessive spending and attempts to delete their father's will raised suspicion. Erik eventually confessed to the murders in therapy sessions with his psychologist, Dr. Oziel, and Lyle later confirmed their involvement. Both brothers claimed that they acted in self-defence, citing years of emotional and sexual abuse by their parents.
The highly publicized trial of Lyle and Erik began in July 1993. They were tried together but had separate juries. The brothers were charged with two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder, facing the possibility of the death penalty. During the trial, Lyle testified that he had been sexually abused by both his mother and father since he was six years old. Erik testified that the abuse had never ended for him. Numerous relatives, friends, and acquaintances of the Menendez family also testified about their observations of physical and emotional abuse within the family.
In 1994, the Menendez brothers were depicted in the CBS television film "Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills". The case has also been featured in various other television shows, films, and documentaries, including "Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders", "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story", and "Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers - American Sons, American Murders".
The Menendez murders became one of the most famous criminal cases of the late 20th century due to the mix of family drama, Hollywood connections, dramatic testimony, and extensive media coverage. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the case, with the brothers being featured in several Netflix projects and gaining a growing number of supporters on social media platforms like TikTok.
In 1990, Lyle and Erik Menendez were photographed courtside at a New York Knicks game. This photo was used for Mark Jackson's 1990-91 NBA Hoops basketball trading card. The card gained notoriety years later when collectors noticed the presence of the Menendez brothers in the background. The card's value surged, with some listings reaching hundreds of dollars. However, eBay eventually removed listings that referenced the brothers, citing policies against items associated with violent crimes.
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Mark Jackson basketball card
Mark Jackson is a former NBA star who played for the New York Knicks. A Mark Jackson 1990-91 NBA Hoops basketball trading card features Erik and Lyle Menendez brothers, who were convicted of killing their parents in 1989, sitting in the front row. The card gained notoriety when collectors noticed the brothers in the background, and its value skyrocketed.
The card was first discovered by Stephen Zerance in 2018, who purchased several for around 10 cents each. Zerance posted about the card on Twitter, and it soon went viral. Imran Poladi, the owner of True Sports Cards and Collectables in Rocklin, commented on the card's uniqueness: "Both Menendez brothers are in the background of this. They're playing in New York, Mark Jackson is passing the ball and to his right, you'll see the Menendez brothers sitting courtside."
The card's value surged, with some listings reaching hundreds of dollars. eBay eventually removed listings that explicitly referenced the Menendez brothers, citing policies against items associated with violent crimes. However, the card continues to be a sought-after collector's item, with Goldin auctioning off a version signed by Mark Jackson.
The Mark Jackson basketball card featuring the Menendez brothers has become a story in itself, with some collectors commenting on its gruesome nature, while others appreciate its unique connection to a well-known true crime story.
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The brothers' spending spree
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents, Kitty and José Menendez, in Beverly Hills, California. They were sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996. However, in 2024, they were recommended for re-sentencing by the Los Angeles County District Attorney, and their story has recently resurfaced due to their unexpected appearance in the background of a 1990 Mark Jackson NBA basketball card.
Erik also spent large sums of money on luxury clothing, high-end accommodations, and international trips. He hired a personal trainer, Mark Heffernan, for $60,000 a year, and purchased a Jeep. Lyle was often seen in a chauffeur-driven limousine, with bodyguards by his side, claiming he feared for his life. He would frequently jump out of the limousine and go on shopping sprees, spending up to $3,000 at a time.
The brothers' extravagant spending, which totalled around $700,000, stood in stark contrast to their earlier claims of grief and trauma. While the defence argued that the spending was a psychological escape from years of alleged abuse by their father, the prosecution maintained that the brothers' crimes were financially motivated.
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The brothers' prison life
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of killing their parents, Jose and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, in 1989. They were arrested in March 1990 and initially sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, in 2025, a judge resentenced them to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole.
During their first trial, Lyle and Erik testified that their father had sexually abused them, and they killed their parents in self-defense. They were 21 and 18 years old, respectively, at the time of the crime. The defense argued that the brothers' spending spree after the murders, which included purchasing Rolex watches, designer clothing, real estate, and high-priced courtside tickets to basketball games, was a psychological escape from years of alleged abuse. However, the prosecution claimed that their crimes were motivated by their desire to gain access to the family's fortune.
The Menendez brothers' prison life has been marked by their adaptation to incarceration and their pursuit of freedom through legal appeals and resentencing bids. They were housed in separate prisons when their sentences began in 1996 due to concerns about their potential collaboration on an escape plan. Erik reported experiencing bullying and trauma during his early years in prison and expressed distress over his brother Lyle being assaulted and suffering a broken jaw.
Over the years, the brothers filed multiple appeals, all of which were unsuccessful until 2024. In October 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón recommended resentencing, citing the brothers' model behavior as prisoners and the dysfunctional and abusive environment they endured at home. Despite opposition from the new district attorney, Nathan Hochman, a judge approved Gascón's recommendation in May 2025, resentencing the brothers to 50 years to life and making them immediately eligible for parole.
The Menendez brothers' case has garnered significant media attention, with numerous documentaries, dramatizations, and even a basketball card inadvertently featuring their image contributing to their infamy. Their story has captivated true crime enthusiasts and sparked ongoing debates about their guilt, sentencing, and potential for rehabilitation.
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The card's value
The 1990 Mark Jackson NBA basketball card featuring the Menendez brothers has gained significant notoriety and interest among collectors and true crime fans. The card's value has skyrocketed due to its unique connection to a high-profile crime. Initially worth only cents, the card now sells for substantially more.
The card's price can vary depending on its condition and the seller. Some collectors have listed the card for a few hundred dollars, with one eBay seller seeking $1,500 for their card. However, it's important to note that eBay has removed listings that explicitly referenced the Menendez brothers due to policies against items associated with violent crimes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Erik and Lyle Menendez can be seen in the background of a 1990 Mark Jackson NBA basketball card.
Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989 and were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996.
Crime writer Stephen Zerance was among the first to identify the brothers in the bottom left corner of Jackson's trading card in 2018.
The card gained notoriety among collectors and true crime fans, with its price surging from a few cents to hundreds of dollars.
The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, they won their resentencing bid in 2025, bringing them a step closer to freedom.
