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January 10, 1996
Web posted at: 2:45 p.m. EST
LOS ANGELES (CNN)-- After 15 days on the witness stand, including eight days of intense questioning by the prosecution, Erik Menendez completed his testimony by saying he thought his tough-talking father had murdered someone.
Erik and his brother, Lyle, are being tried a second time on charges they murdered their parents. The two admit the killings, but contend they were justified.
During his detailed testimony, Erik accused his father, Jose Menendez, of various forms of abuse, including rape at knifepoint, threats against his life and the killing of a pet rabbit.
Toward the end of his testimony on Tuesday, Erik stated for the first time he thought his father had killed people, and he said that was why he felt his father would make good on his threats to kill Erik and Lyle if the alleged abuse was ever divulged. He said he felt his father was capable of murdering anyone who got in his way.
Also on Tuesday, Erik said he walked into the den of the family's Beverly Hills home with the intent of firing his shotgun, but he insisted he did not want to kill his parents.
SACRAMENTO, California (CNN)--In an effort to slap down graffiti, a California Assembly committee approved a bill that would allow spankings for teens convicted of graffiti vandalism.
Under the bill, a Juvenile Court judge would order a youth convicted of the crime to be paddled up to 10 times by his or her parent in court with a large, wooden paddle. If the parents refused or the judge thought the parent didn't swing hard enough, the judge could order a bailiff to conduct the spanking.
Backers say the punishment could direct juveniles away from a life of crime. Opponents say it interferes with parents' rights and could make the teens even more bitter.
The bill was approved 5-3 by the Public Safety Committee and was sent to the Appropriations Committee, the last stop before the Assembly floor.
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