Judge to Rule on Key Tapes in Menendez Case

A Santa Monica judge said he will rule next week on whether audio tapes seized from a Beverly Hills psychologist must remain confidential. They are the prosecution’s key evidence against brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are charged with the shotgun slayings of their wealthy parents.

Superior Court Judge James Albracht on Wednesday again excluded the public from a hearing on the issue, which is expected to conclude today. He said he will review the matter and issue a written judgment.

Defense attorneys contend that the tapes, which allegedly contain incriminating statements by the brothers, are protected because they are therapist/client communications. Prosecutors, however, argue that threats allegedly made by the pair cancel out their right to confidentiality. Also, statements made by psychologist Jerome Oziel to a girlfriend may cancel his claim that the conversations were private.