ROBBINS’ SONG: Former state Sen. Alan Robbins...

ROBBINS’ SONG: Former state Sen. Alan Robbins of Van Nuys, testifying at the political corruption trial of lobbyist Clayton R. Jackson, outlined his relationship with Jackson dating back more than a decade. . . . It was an uncomplicated lesson. . . . “The more help I was furnishing for his (Jackson’s) clients,” Robbins said, “the more money he would deliver from his clients.” Robbins is serving a two-year sentence after pleading guilty to corruption charges and resigning from office in 1991. (B4)

GOLD BRICKS: In many struggling municipalities, the road to recovery may be paved with brick. . . . Hoping to lure shoppers back to the flagging downtown, city leaders work from the ground up by installing jazzy, brick-trimmed sidewalks and crosswalks. . . . “It creates an ambience,” explains one city official. But experts warn that all the brick in the world won’t protect sleepy downtowns from the competition of shopping malls and warehouse discounters. (B1)

A STAR IS BORN: Shaun Williams has a list and he’s checking it twice. The running back at Crespi High in Encino has clipped a recruiter’s list of the San Fernando Valley’s top backs on his locker. Williams’ name is not on it (C10). . . . But Williams has made a name for himself by rushing for 701 yards in five games.

EXPERT TESTIMONY: A child abuse expert testified that Erik Menendez was left “very young, immature and naive” by a lifetime of psychological abuse and felt that he had no choices and no place to go when he and his brother killed their parents. . . . Ann H. Tyler, the first of a string of experts due to be called by the defense, called the condition “learned helplessness.” (B15)

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE: Stalled cars, bikini bars, burglars and Buddhism. . . . It’s just another night on the streets of the Big City for columnist Scott Harris. (B1)