Menendez brothers will not be executed

Los Angeles - A jury spared Erik and Lyle Menendez from the death penalty yesterday, but recommended that the brothers be jailed for life without parole for the murder of their wealthy parents.

The eight-man, four-woman jury deliberated for more than two days before reaching its decision, which was read out in the Van Nuys Superior Court.

Judge Stanley Weisberg will formally sentence the brothers at another hearing on 2 July, when the defence is expected to file a motion for a new trial.

Lyle Menendez, 28, and his 25-year-old brother, Erik, were convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances by the same jury last month, making them eligible for the death penalty under California law. The brothers admitted killing their parents but said they did so after years of sexual and psychological abuse. Reuter