Lyle’s Dearest Friend in Jail: 4-Year-Old Michael Franzese Jr.

It’s widely known that former mobster Michael Franzese shared 11 months in LA County Jail in 1993 with the Menendez brothers, a fact he’s mentioned in past interviews. But there’s a hidden gem I discovered while reading his wife Camille’s book, ‘This Thing of Ours: How Faith Saved My Mafia Marriage’

When he was in jail, Michael got acquainted with a handful of infamous characters that I had the "pleasure" of meeting on more than one occasion. One became friendly with my son. I was talking to my husband through the glass pane at MDC and noticed that Michael Jr. wasn't sitting on the floor by my purse. I turned my head and was horrified when I saw his little behind planted on the chair next to mine and chatting on the telephone with an inmate.

I started to panic when I recognized who it was. "Michael," I whispered, "our son is talking to Lyle Menendez."

Michael seemed oblivious to my concern. "Oh, that's okay. Let him talk to the guy. Lyle's just waiting for his attorney." At that point, the Menendez brothers were still awaiting trial for killing their parents with a shotgun in 1989. They had not been convicted yet, and Michael, with his naturally nonjudgmental character, firmly believed that one was innocent until proven guilty. He saw no harm in our son talking to a criminal arrested for murder. I, however, was uncomfortable about the whole thing. Especially because as time went by, Michael Jr. looked forward to his visits with his "friend Lyle." The two frequently gabbed because Lyle's attorney was notorious for being late.

One day I went to the grocery store with my kids, and there was a People magazine on the stands by the checkout line. The Menendez brothers were on the cover. Michael Jr. yanked my shirt and screamed, "Mommy! Mommy! Look it's Lyle. There's my friend Lyle." Michael jumped up and down and excitedly pointed to the magazine, attracting a lot of unwanted attention our way. The shoppers who stood nearby shot disapproving glances my way. I grabbed the magazine out of my son's hand.

He went into full-on tantrum mode. "No!" he shrieked. "I want the magazine.
I want to see my friend. I want Lyle!!" While he continued to stamp his feet and convulse in sheer agony, calling out for his "friend Lyle," all eyes were on me. I wanted to get out of there, and fast. Michael Jr. cried the whole way home.

While Michael didn't have a problem with his little boy becoming chatty with Lyle, he did have a problem being handcuffed with his fellow inmate.