In 1990, a trading card featuring Erik and Lyle Menendez saw a surge in value after the brothers were convicted of their parents’ double murder in Beverly Hills in 1996.
This particular trading card showcased New York Knicks guard Mark Jackson. It gained attention when collectors noticed the Menendez brothers sitting courtside in the background.
The revelation of the Menendez brothers’ presence on the card generated significant interest from collectors and true crime fans. Initially worth very little, the card’s value skyrocketed, with some listings even hitting hundreds of dollars. However, eBay eventually took down listings that directly referred to the Menendez brothers due to their policy against promoting items linked to violent crimes.
According to a TMZ report, some collectors are sending the card to the brothers in prison so it can be autographed.
Erik Menendez, right, and brother Lyle listen to court proceedings during a May 17, 1991, appearance in the case of the shotgun murders of their wealthy parents in August 1989. (Reuters/Lee Celano)
Both brothers admitted to killing their parents in a gruesome 1989 shotgun massacre inside their Beverly Hills home. Since their resentencing last week, the brothers are now eligible for parole.
The brothers are set to appear before the parole board via video on June 13, 2025, at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.
The board will either recommend or veto the brothers’ release. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has the final say over whether they should go free.
