TX - Trial of Robert Durst in the murder of Morris Black

[TexMex]

Mr. Durst’s private monologue makes for good television. But it is unclear whether the recording of his comments could be used in court, some legal experts said, since they were made in a bathroom when he was alone and had an expectation of privacy.

“That’s pretty damning stuff,” said Daniel J. Castleman, the former chief of investigations in the Manhattan district attorney’s office. “The question is: Is it admissible in court?”

But Daniel C. Richman, a former federal prosecutor who is a professor at Columbia University Law School, said the statements could be admitted in court “so long as it can be shown that the tape wasn’t tampered with.”

John Lewin, the lead prosecutor in the investigation into Ms. Berman’s death, declined to comment on Sunday. Mr. Lewin has built a reputation for winning convictions in cold cases, some of them decades old.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/16/n...ry-on-unsolved-killings-is-arrested.html?_r=2

 

[believe09]

I am so glad to see this day. Maybe Durst will just give it all up if he is dealing with an end of life issue.

 

[TexMex]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/961a...operty-heir-arrested-new-orleans-lapd-warrant

Lewis told the jury that Durst shot Black in self-defense and suffered from Asperger's syndrome. Despite admitting that he used a paring knife, two saws and an ax to dismember Black's body before dumping the remains, Durst was acquitted of murder.

Durst still faced some consequences in Texas — in 2004 he pleaded guilty to bond jumping and evidence tampering, but with time served, he was paroled in 2005. Then, violating the terms of his parole, he returned to the boarding house where Black was killed, and had to serve another four months in jail.

Durst "has been incredibly lucky that so many people who've investigated him have dropped the ball, but I think that luck may be running out," said former Galveston County District Court Judge Susan Criss, who presided over the Texas murder trial.

Lewis defended Durst again in Texas after he inexplicably urinated on the candy display at the cash register of a CVS pharmacy in Houston last year. Durst paid a fine and compensated the store for what Lewis called an "unfortunate medical mishap."

Durst left his Houston town house for New Orleans to escape unwanted attention since the documentary's second-to-last episode aired, Lewis said.

The Durst family is worth at least $4 billion, according to the Forbes list of richest Americans.

 

[Wishbone]

IMO Robert Durst is playing a game with the criminal justice system and loving the media attention. Maybe I shouldn’t believe some of what he says, but he seems to actually lay out some of his motivation in various statements he makes. When he was doing time for the Texas charges he was found guilty of, he talked about the respect he got in jail and also the respect he had for his fellow inmates. He applauded the fact that most of them had made their own way in life and had not received help. Whereas he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never earned anything on his own. Never had to prove himself. Never received anything positive from his family to the point of his younger brother being named successor to the family business. Never recognized for having a brilliant mind, in his own estimation. It seems like he’s showing just how intelligent and manipulating he really is by causing circumstances that raise suspicion and then managing to wiggle out of the consequences. It sounds weird but maybe he gets some satisfaction by beating the system and bolstering his own ego. I guess that’s one way to beat the boredom of being the richest kid on the block.
I look back to the murder and dismemberment of his neighbor, and marvel at the genius of it. It’s like he planned and laid out the whole scenario. Why the telling mail with the address still in one of the body part bags that led right to his address and then directly to him? If not for that piece of mail there would have no leads. Why is the head of the victim conveniently missing? A sensational murder 1 trial contrived to lead up to an acquittal and that was his big payoff for all to see, hear and read about.
All the little slips and mistakes with the mic on and the handwriting on the cadaver letter and the other letter that seems to be written by the same hand could all be part of his plan to continue his game. Depending on many circumstances to include what evidence ends up suppressed and discounted and what dream team he assembles, this could be a real uphill battle for the prosecution and once again Robert Durst is thumbing his nose at the system and still in the news.

 

[Shelby1]

Fox News said the extradition hearing is in about 20 minutes. Not sure if they will show it or not.

 

[Shelby1]

I guess they are going to be live there. Just a few minutes away.

 

[Wishbone]

Three times people close to the eccentric – some have said mentally ill – New York real estate scion have vanished or been killed. He has played the role of suspect, person of interest or defendant, each time confounding authorities as they have tried and failed and tried again to build murder cases against him.
Now, once again, police think they have the goods on him.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...-in-la-murder-case-20150315-story.html#page=1

 

[Wishbone]

cnn is covering it now

 

[epiphany]

Jed Lipinski @jedlipinski · 49m 49 minutes ago

Dick DeGuerin, Robert Durst's lawyer, says Durst has had neurosurgery and needs his pain medication in jail @NOLAnews


Jed Lipinski @jedlipinski · 23m 23 minutes ago

When the judge asked Robert Durst to rise, he smiled at the crowd in the courtroom. Chilling!

https://twitter.com/jedlipinski

 

[Steely Dan]

They are covering this right now on CNN's "Legal View With Ashley Banfield"

 

[Steely Dan]

Ashley on CNN is going to show the PC after these commercials right now!

 

[Steely Dan]

Durst's attorney will be on CNN tomorrow on Ashley's show.

 

[epiphany]

Durst's Atty: ...we're ready to go to CA and have a trial

 

[RadarLuv]

Anyone know if Durst was still residing in Galveston. I had forgotten all about his until recently. If so, he is right in my backyard. Dang it, I do not have HBO!

 

[Shelby1]

BuzzFeed News ‏@BuzzFeedNews 17m17 minutes ago
Durst Had A Revolver On Him When He Was Arrested, Police Say http://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeednews/robert-durst-to-appear-in-new-orleans-court-on-monday?bftw&utm_term=4ldqpgc#4ldqpgc …

 

[Pammy13]

I must share an "aha" moment. I live in Galveston county and was summoned to jury duty last week. I wasn't chosen but during voir dire the prosecutor asked if we had watched Jinx. Only a few raised their numbers. She mentioned Durst, said we should watch, that it was really good. And here we are. Weird!

 

[jennapuppy]

Anyone know if Durst was still residing in Galveston. I had forgotten all about his until recently. If so, he is right in my backyard. Dang it, I do not have HBO!

He's been living in Houston. He owns an apt. in a high-rise in the Galleria area. I live in Clear Lake, but that's still too close for comfort!

 

[Pammy13]

Anyone know if Durst was still residing in Galveston. I had forgotten all about his until recently. If so, he is right in my backyard. Dang it, I do not have HBO!

Durst was living in Houston last year when he was arrested for peeing on candy at CVS.
Has it been reported how long he had been in New Orleans?

 

[RadarLuv]

Strange thing....I live in G county and have lived in Harris as well. I have only been called for jury duty once, when I was 18 years old. I don't understand why as I vote, drive and am not a felon. I might be the only person that doesn't TRY to get out of jury duty, yet can't get called in! lol

 

[time]

I must share an "aha" moment. I live in Galveston county and was summoned to jury duty last week. I wasn't chosen but during voir dire the prosecutor asked if we had watched Jinx. Only a few raised their numbers. She mentioned Durst, said we should watch, that it was really good. And here we are. Weird!

The prosecutor said you should watch Jinx?