A Unlikely Friendship Behind Bars

Rosie O'Donnell has a unique bond with Lyle Menendez. Lyle is serving a life sentence in San Diego for a crime he committed in 1989. He and his brother, Erik, were found guilty of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The trial happened in 1996. The brothers claimed they acted in self-defense, citing years of abuse and molestation by their parents. O'Donnell's journey with Lyle began during the trial. She appeared on "Larry King Live" in 1996, expressing her belief in the brothers' defense. Lyle reached out to her after that appearance, sending a letter of thanks. O'Donnell did not respond at the time, as she was not ready to delve into her own past experiences of abuse. Years passed, and O'Donnell reconnected with Lyle after watching a 2022 documentary. The film presented new evidence supporting the Menendez brothers' story. This sparked O'Donnell's interest, leading to a phone call with Lyle that lasted hours. Since then, they have kept in touch regularly. O'Donnell's friends have expressed concern about her relationship with Lyle. She acknowledges that he is a convicted killer, but she feels a sense of safety and trust with him. This bond is significant for O'Donnell, as she has struggled to trust straight men due to her past experiences. Lyle is involved in a prison program that trains dogs for blind, disabled veterans, and children with autism. O'Donnell decided to get a dog through this program for her autistic son, Clay. She spent two weeks commuting to the prison to bring home Kuma, a Labrador mix trained by an inmate. The experience had a positive impact on Clay, inspiring O'Donnell to create a documentary about the program. The documentary, "Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Autism, " will debut on Hulu. It highlights the transformative power of service dogs for children with autism. The program not only helps the children but also gives inmates a sense of purpose and redemption. This initiative shows that even in prison, there are opportunities for growth and positive impact.