Topline
Robert Durst was the oldest son of Seymour Durst (the late New York City realty titan) and was convicted Tuesday of the murder of his best friend, Susan Berman. This comes more than 20 years after Berman was killed at close range at her Los Angeles home.
David Z. Chesnoff and Dick DeGuerin, defense attorneys, adjust Robert Durst’s wheelchair during opening statements. Getty Images
The Key Facts
Durst was found guilty of first-degree murder by the jury. Berman was also convicted because she witnessed a crime. Durst, who is 78 years old, was not present when the verdict was announced. He was being isolated after coming in contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus. Durst denied that he killed Berman or Kathie, his wife who disappeared mysteriously in 1982. He was officially declared legally dead in 2016. Durst pleaded no guilty. Durst pleaded not guilty to murdering Berman and his wife Kathie in order to cover up his crime. Berman allegedly planned to lie to police about knowing Durst was responsible when Kathies missing persons case was closed again in 2000. Los Angeles Deputy District attorney John Lewin urged the jury during closing arguments Wednesday to reject Durst's argument that he killed Berman to cover up his wife's murder. Dursts defense team claimed that Durst was in poor health throughout the trial and requested that the jury acquit Durst. Durst can now go to any hospital of his choice to continue his life.
Surprising Fact
Durst was being tried for the second time for murder. Durst was found not guilty by a Texas jury of the murder of his elderly neighbor Morris Black, Galveston, Texas. Durst's legal team claimed he did it in self-defense and that they had fought over a gun. Durst was sentenced for five years after pleading guilty to bail jumping, and tampering evidence by dismembering Black's body. Durst fled Galveston to escape police questioning in 2000 after the investigation into his wife's disappearance in 1982 was reopened. During the Bermans murder trial, the prosecution presented evidence from Black's murder and Kathies disappearance.
Big Number
$8.1 billion Forbes has estimated the Durst family's worth at $8.1 billion. Robert Durst sold his family's stake in the business to his relatives for $65 millions in 2006. Durst's younger brother Douglas, who was chosen by their father to be his successor at the Durst Organization, said that he fears Robert and believes he wants to kill him.
Important Background
Durst, who testified that he found Berman's body in her home in 2000, before it was discovered by police, denied the murder of Berman. Durst, for the first time, admitted to the trial that he had sent police a letter with the word "cadaver" and Berman's home address in an anonymous attempt to lead them to Bermans corpse. Durst has denied the sending of the letter for years. However, his handwriting matches his distinctive scrawl. This aspect of the murder case was highlighted in HBO's documentary The Jinx. It examines Dursts entire life.
Continue reading
Robert Durst Attempts to Explain How He Found His Best Friend Dead and Why He Decided Not To Call 911 (Forbes).
Robert Durst, a member of 'The Jinx,' denies killing his best friend, wife in a murder trial (Forbes).
Robert Dursts Brother, a Real Estate Tycoon, Tells Court That He Believes His Brother Wants to Kill Him (Forbes).
Robert Durst denies he seeks sympathy from the jury during the Murder Trial (Forbes).
