Menendez Lawyer Won’t Be Investigated

Defense attorney Leslie Abramson will not face a criminal investigation for asking a psychiatrist to delete material from his notes during the trial of Erik Menendez, the district attorney’s office said.

“We’ve reviewed the relevant transcripts and have concluded that this office should not investigate this matter,” said district attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

During the penalty phase of the murder trial for Erik and Lyle Menendez, Abramson ordered a defense witness, Dr. William Vicary, to alter his notes, which may have included incriminatory evidence.

Vicary testified that Abramson threatened to take him off the case if he didn’t comply with her orders to delete passages, including Erik’s comment: “Hate this man and this woman. Not my parents. Want them out of my life.”

Abramson has said she asked the psychiatrist only to edit portions of his notes that infringed patient confidentiality or that were ambiguous. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Erik, 25, and Lyle, 28, were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the Aug. 20, 1989, shotgun killings of their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Abramson represented Erik.