Menendez Lawyer to Stay for 2nd Trial : Courts: Leslie Abramson plans to continue seeking county funds to represent the younger brother, even though judge has denied request. She calls her situation serfdom.

Although it’s uncertain whether she will work for free or for a taxpayer-paid fee, defense lawyer Leslie Abramson told a judge Wednesday that she plans to return for a second trial in the Menendez brothers murder case.

“I do expect to be here, your honor, for the duration,” Abramson, who represents younger brother Erik Menendez, told Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Stanley M. Weisberg during a brief hearing.

Last week, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cecil Mills, the supervising judge of the county’s criminal courts, refused to appoint Abramson to defend Menendez at taxpayer expense at the second trial--saying she still has a valid contract to represent him in the retrial.

Abramson told Weisberg, who presided over the first trial, that she will continue to seek payment by the court.

Outside court, she assessed the situation. “My situation right now is most accurately called serf. S-e-r-f,” she said. “I have been told that I am to provide perpetual care on this case. Lifetime employment. That’s where it stands right now.”

Erik Menendez, 23, and Lyle Menendez, 26, are charged with murder in the Aug. 20, 1989, shotgun slayings of their parents, Jose Menendez, 45, and Kitty Menendez, 47.

Prosecutors contend that the brothers killed out of hatred and greed for the parents’ estate, once valued at $14 million. Defense lawyers now say the money is virtually depleted.

At the first trial, the brothers admitted the killings but said they lashed out in fear after years of abuse. That trial ended in January when separate juries, one for each brother, deadlocked between murder and lesser manslaughter charges.

On Wednesday, Abramson also urged Weisberg to have the brothers tried separately. The judge said he was inclined to have the brothers tried together again but would consider the request because Lyle Menendez’s chief defense lawyer at the first trial, Jill Lansing, has left the case.

The two public defenders assigned to take over the older brother’s case told Weisberg they were not sure how long it will take to prepare. He scheduled a hearing April 15 to set a trial date.