On display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando's True Crime gallery, you'll find Mark Jackson's 1990 basketball card. Behind its seemingly normal exterior, this card is hiding the story of one of the most televised true crime stories of all time.
The Crime that Shocked America
In August 1989, José and Kitty Menendez were found murdered in their Beverly Hills mansion. At first, suspicion didn’t immediately fall on their sons, Lyle and Erik. But as investigators dug deeper, a disturbing truth unraveled.
After the killings, the brothers went on an extravagant spending spree—buying luxury cars, designer watches, and even sitting front row at NBA games, which caused people to raise their eyebrows at the supposedly grieving sons. Erik eventually broke down and confessed his and his brother's crime to his psychologist, which kick-started their descent into infamy.
A Shocking Trial
Believe It or Not!, the Menendez trial was one of the first major court cases to be broadcast live on television. The brothers claimed self-defense after years of alleged abuse, while prosecutors argued they were driven by greed and the promise of inheritance.
Both were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. But their story didn’t end there! In recent years, the brothers requested a new trial and resentencing for their crimes, but were denied.
Hiding in Plain Sight
In the background of Knicks player Mark Jackson’s card, you can clearly see Lyle and Erik Menendez sitting courtside. For decades, no one noticed. Then in 2018, a sharp-eyed collector spotted them, transforming this once-overlooked card into a true crime treasure.
You can see this chilling piece of sports history on display NOW in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando's True Crime gallery.