VAN NUYS : Menendez Judge Puts Off Ruling on Separate Trials
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The judge in the Menendez murder case on Monday put off a ruling on whether brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez will be tried together or one after the other for the 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents.
Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Stanley M. Weisberg gave prosecutors until next Monday to sift through the results of a public opinion poll commissioned by the defense on the case.
The judge also put off a final ruling on where the second trial in the long-running case will be held--in Van Nuys, Santa Monica or Downtown. The lawyers in the case all want it moved Downtown.
The first trial in the case, held in Van Nuys, ended in January, 1994, with two juries--one for each brother--deadlocked between murder and lesser manslaughter charges.
The brothers admit killing their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, but claim they lashed out in fear after years of abuse. Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, claim the brothers killed out of hatred and greed.
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