Los Angeles – Robert Durst, the subject of the crime documentary “The Jinx” that aired on HBO, has been convicted of the first-degree murder of Susan Berman, who was allegedly his best friend.
In 2000, Durst was declared guilty of killing Susan at her house in Beverly Hills, just a few hours before she was scheduled to talk to the officials about the mysterious disappearance of Robert’s wife, Kathleen McCormack. According to the reports, his wife was last seen in the year 1982.
Allegedly, Kathleen McCormack Durst was presumed dead in 2017. Nobody has found the body, so no one was charged with her murder.
According to jurors, the crime reached special circumstances under the law of California that would allow charging Durst for a life sentence for murdering a witness to a crime.
California has temporarily suspended the criminal penalty. However, the hearing for sentencing Durst will be held on Oct 18.
George Gascón, district attorney, said, “The jury’s decision demonstrates how our legal system can work to hold accountable people regardless of their wealth and status in life,” and added that “I want to commend our prosecution team and investigators for their diligent work to ultimately bring justice for those who have been waiting more than 20 years.”
During a trial in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Durst pleaded not guilty and maintained innocence. He denied the killing and said he found her already dead in her bedroom with a gunshot on the back of her head.
Dick DeGuerin, defense attorney stated, the court’s verdict disappointed him.
“We fought hard, but we came in second,” said the attorney.
Durst, 78, didn’t hear the court’s final verdict as he has self-quarantined himself. Recently one of his drivers contracted Covid, so he had to quarantine himself – said DeGuerin.
DeGuerin said he could relay the court’s verdict to Durst as he was unable to reach him.
After the court’s verdict, John Lewin, the lead prosecutor, said, “We are extremely gratified and appreciative of the verdict that the jury reached in this case”.
“Narcissistic psychopath,” he called the Durst and said, “He got a lot more of a life than he was entitled to.”
Susan Berman, who was also a crime writer, acted as a spokesperson when Durst became the suspect in his wife’s missing case.
