Lyle Menendez Jury Deliberating Again

Returning to a still-closed Van Nuys courthouse, jurors in the Lyle Menendez murder trial resumed deliberations Monday after a break that stretched to 10 days because of the earthquake.

All 12 jurors, who live in the hard-hit San Fernando Valley, met behind closed doors in the morning with Superior Court Judge Stanley M. Weisberg, apparently telling him in an hourlong hearing that they could go on--if the schedule included some flexibility for personal business in the wake of the quake.

The judge assented, sending the jury off to one of several undamaged trailers ringing the earthquake-damaged Superior Court building. The jurors went home about 3 p.m.

They are scheduled back at the trailer today for a full day behind closed doors, a 24th day of deliberations.

If there is no verdict today, the jury will take Wednesday off and come back to court Thursday. Beyond that, plans are not set.

“Some jurors have earthquake-related problems,” said Jerrianne Hayslett, a Superior Court spokeswoman, explaining the unusual schedule. The judge figured that it was better to be flexible than “shut down the entire jury,” which would lead to a mistrial in the lengthy case.

Lyle Menendez, 26, and Erik Menendez, 23, are charged with the Aug. 20, 1989, shootings of their wealthy parents, Jose Menendez, 45, and Kitty Menendez, 47.

Two juries are hearing the case. Weisberg declared a mistrial in the Erik Menendez case Jan. 13 after that jury reported that it was hopelessly deadlocked. Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti has vowed to retry Erik Menendez for murder.

The Lyle Menendez jury deliberated for a 22nd day on Jan. 14 without having sent any notes to the judge signaling a deadlock. Its last note, on Jan. 13, asked three questions on legal definitions relating to manslaughter.

Legal experts have said the delay is unprecedented in such a high-profile trial and speculated that jurors might have trouble concentrating. But Weisberg clearly wants to give the panel every chance to reach a verdict following a costly trial.

The Lyle Menendez jury was due to be off Jan. 17 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. But the earthquake that day caused major damage to the courthouse, knocking down ceiling tiles, paneling and one marble slab.

Concerned that the shaking might have released asbestos into the air, building inspectors tested for fibers and sealed the building. Court officials said they hoped that most of the seven-story building will reopen next week.

Weisberg, whose fourth-floor courtroom escaped with little damage, nonetheless was exiled to one of the outside trailers usually used as extra courtrooms, complete with an elevated judge’s bench and spectator seats.