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Millionaire Robert Durst Found Guilty Of Murder Of Susan Berman

Millionaire Robert Durst Found Guilty Of Murder Of Susan Berman

He featured in the true crime documentary The Jinx

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Millionaire Robert Durst, who featured in the true crime documentary series The Jinx, has been found guilty of the murder of his friend Susan Berman.

Real estate heir Durst, 78, was found guilty of first degree murder on Friday following his trial in Los Angeles.

Berman, who had previously acted as a spokesperson for Durst, died after being shot in the head at her Beverly Hills home in 2000.

The court heard that crime writer Berman had been preparing to go to police to tell them how she helped Durst cover up the killing of his first wife Kathleen McCormack in 1982 by providing a false alibi.

PA

During the trial, prosecutors called Durst a 'narcissistic psychopath' and heard testimony from his estranged brother Douglas Durst who told the court: "He'd like to murder me."

Durst was arrested in 2015 while hiding out in a hotel in New Orleans, the night before the airing of the final episode of The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst aired.

In the episode he was confronted with incriminating evidence and made what prosecutors said was a confession.

Durst could be heard muttering to himself on a live microphone in a bathroom: "There it is. You're caught."

Prosecutors argued that Durst actually killed three people - Berman, McCormack and his elderly former neighbour Morris Black.

PA

McCormack, a medical student, was last seen in 1982 and is presumed dead.

Following the news of his conviction, McCormack's family have urged prosecutors in New York's Westchester County to charge Durst.

In a statement the family said: "The justice system in Los Angeles has finally served the Berman family. It is now time for Westchester to do the same for the McCormack family."

Durst has previously been acquitted of the murder of Black - who uncovered the killer's identity when he was hiding out in Texas in 2001.

His lawyers argued Durst had acted in self defence when he killed him before cutting up the body and disposing of it.

Durst was not present when the verdict was announced as he was in isolation in prison after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus.

Durst will be sentenced on 18 October and faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

His defence lawyer David Chesnoff said on Friday they believed there was 'substantial reasonable doubt' and were disappointed in the verdict.

He said Durst would pursue all avenues of appeal.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: TV and Film, US News, crime