VAN NUYS : Jury Sworn in for 1 Brother in Menendez Murder Case
A jury was sworn in late Thursday to judge Lyle Menendez, 25, one of the two Beverly Hills brothers charged with murdering their parents.
Jury selection is expected to continue through next week for Erik Menendez, 22. Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Stanley Weisberg has ordered one trial with two juries because some evidence is admissible against only one brother. Weisberg on Thursday set a July 20 as the new date for opening statements.
Jose Menendez, 45, and Kitty Menendez, 47, were killed Aug. 20, 1989, by shotgun blasts in the family room of their $4-million Beverly Hills mansion.
Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, contend that greed was the brothers’ motive. Defense lawyers disclosed last month that they will argue the killings were acts of self-defense after years of abuse.
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