ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996 TAG: 9604180067
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES
SOURCE: Associated Press
Erik and Lyle Menendez were spared the death penalty Wednesday for methodically gunning down their wealthy parents 6 1/2 years ago in their Beverly Hills mansion.
The jury recommended life in prison without parole for the killings of record company executive Jose Menendez and his socialite wife, Kitty. The brothers have already spent more than six years in jail.
``Lyle is relieved because he wants to live,'' said his lawyer, Charles Gessler
Erik's attorney, Leslie Abramson, was relieved for both brothers.
``On the good side, I will say they're both such considerable human beings that they will find a way to be productive,'' she said.
The eight men and four women jurors deliberated for 13 hours over three days.
There were separate verdicts for each brother for the killings of each parent. When ``life in prison without parole'' was read for the fourth time, a large gasp of relief came from the section of the courtroom where members of the Menendez family sat waiting.
The pronouncement did not end the legal saga for the brothers.
The judge scheduled a hearing July 2 to hear defense motions for a new trial and to pronounce sentence.
While the jury's decision is only a recommendation, the judge does not have the option to impose a death sentence in contradiction of the jurors' wishes. Had they pronounced death, he could have reduced it to life.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB