VAN NUYS : Prosecutors Win Round in Menendez Murder Trial
Scoring a tactical victory, prosecutors won the right Thursday to present evidence that Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents for financial gain.
Defense lawyers argued that because a county grand jury opted not to base the formal charges against the Beverly Hills brothers on murdering for money, such evidence ought to be off limits. Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Stanley Weisberg disagreed, saying that despite the grand jury decision, prosecutors have the right to offer such evidence for motive of a crime.
Lyle and Erik Menendez are charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 20, 1989, shotgun slaying of their parents, Jose Menendez, 45, and Kitty Menendez, 47.
Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, maintain that Lyle, 25, and Erik Menendez, 22, killed their parents out of greed. The defense disclosed last week that the brothers will claim that they killed their parents in self-defense after years of abuse.
Jury selection was scheduled to resume today.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
