VAN NUYS : Menendez Jurors Get 3 Days Off for Christmas
Bidding the judge “Merry Christmas” as they left, jurors in the Menendez brothers’ murder trial went home for a three-day weekend without reaching a verdict Thursday.
Erik Menendez’s jury, which spent most of the day listening to a court reporter read the testimony of several witnesses, wrapped up its sixth day of deliberations.
Lyle Menendez’s jury, which left at 3 p.m., finished a ninth day of debate.
Erik Menendez, 23, and Lyle Menendez, 25, are charged with murder in the Aug. 20, 1989, shotgun slayings of their parents, Jose Menendez, 45, a wealthy entertainment executive, and Kitty Menendez, 47.
The brothers admit the slayings but say they killed in self-defense after years of abuse. Prosecutors contend the brothers killed out of hatred and greed.
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