Elena

Durst's trial dragged on for nearly seven months, during which jurors and spectators heard a thorough overview of his personal history and the full extent of his criminal activities. The defense claimed that he... had nothing to do with the Berman murder and that the prosecution was simply trying to capitalize on the popularity of an HBO miniseries.

Defense attorney David Chesnoff said, we believe the absence of evidence is evidence that Bob is not guilty. I don't think there's an absence of evidence. The prosecutor, John Lewin, acknowledged the lack of conclusive physical evidence, but stressed that while the evidence may have been largely circumstantial, there was a lot of it. That's the thing.

Defense attorney David Chesnoff said, we believe the absence of evidence is evidence that Bob is not guilty. I don't think there's an absence of evidence. The prosecutor, John Lewin, acknowledged the lack of conclusive physical evidence, but stressed that while the evidence may have been largely circumstantial, there was a lot of it. That's the thing.

And from very reputable sources, including the defendant himself. Well, circumstantial evidence is evidence nonetheless. Yeah. In his opening statement, he said, "'It's a long and complicated story because Mr. Durst committed a lot of crimes. As you're listening, some of the most damaging aspects of this case are going to come from him.'" Yeah.

And from very reputable sources, including the defendant himself. Well, circumstantial evidence is evidence nonetheless. Yeah. In his opening statement, he said, "'It's a long and complicated story because Mr. Durst committed a lot of crimes. As you're listening, some of the most damaging aspects of this case are going to come from him.'" Yeah.

Lewin reminded the jury Durst wasn't just in the area when Berman died. He was in her house, which he admitted. Y'all. He somehow also appeared to know there would be a body in Susan Berman's home before she was even dead. She wasn't dead yet.

Lewin reminded the jury Durst wasn't just in the area when Berman died. He was in her house, which he admitted. Y'all. He somehow also appeared to know there would be a body in Susan Berman's home before she was even dead. She wasn't dead yet.

Which they knew because he had confessed to writing and sending the note, which was post-dated before her death. Medically, they found that out. In the end, the jury sided with the DA, and on September 18th, 2021, after more than seven hours of deliberation, Robert Durst was found guilty of the murder of his best friend, Susan Berman, more than two decades earlier.

Which they knew because he had confessed to writing and sending the note, which was post-dated before her death. Medically, they found that out. In the end, the jury sided with the DA, and on September 18th, 2021, after more than seven hours of deliberation, Robert Durst was found guilty of the murder of his best friend, Susan Berman, more than two decades earlier.

Additionally, the jury found that the prosecution had successfully proved the claim of special circumstances, specifically that Durst had been, quote, lying in wait for Berman, and that killing her effectively amounted to, quote, killing a witness. Yeah. Which is a pretty big deal. The following month, on October 15th, Durst was back in court for sentencing and victim impact statements.

Additionally, the jury found that the prosecution had successfully proved the claim of special circumstances, specifically that Durst had been, quote, lying in wait for Berman, and that killing her effectively amounted to, quote, killing a witness. Yeah. Which is a pretty big deal. The following month, on October 15th, Durst was back in court for sentencing and victim impact statements.

Denny Marcus, one of Berman's cousins, said, "...I was robbed and my beautiful son was robbed of an absolutely extraordinary, brilliant person whose life was tragically and savagely taken." Before passing sentencing, Judge Mark Windham had his own statement he wanted to make, calling the murder a, quote, witness killing and a horrific crime, as well as a, quote, denial of justice.

Denny Marcus, one of Berman's cousins, said, "...I was robbed and my beautiful son was robbed of an absolutely extraordinary, brilliant person whose life was tragically and savagely taken." Before passing sentencing, Judge Mark Windham had his own statement he wanted to make, calling the murder a, quote, witness killing and a horrific crime, as well as a, quote, denial of justice.

Also, Judge Windham strongly rejected the defense's request for a new trial, citing the, quote, overwhelming evidence of guilt as one of the reasons. So he's like, I don't need the physical evidence. Like, there's enough. Yeah. Finally, with all the statements out of the way, Judge Windham handed down his sentence, life in prison without the possibility of parole. Bye.

Also, Judge Windham strongly rejected the defense's request for a new trial, citing the, quote, overwhelming evidence of guilt as one of the reasons. So he's like, I don't need the physical evidence. Like, there's enough. Yeah. Finally, with all the statements out of the way, Judge Windham handed down his sentence, life in prison without the possibility of parole. Bye.

So the case against Robert Durst had been built on the theory that he killed Susan Berman in order to prevent her from sharing what she knew about the disappearance of Kathy Durst. Given that it had been a successful strategy, police in New York filed second-degree murder charges against Durst, alleging he murdered his wife in 1982. I wonder why second-degree. I don't know. It's always confusing.

So the case against Robert Durst had been built on the theory that he killed Susan Berman in order to prevent her from sharing what she knew about the disappearance of Kathy Durst. Given that it had been a successful strategy, police in New York filed second-degree murder charges against Durst, alleging he murdered his wife in 1982. I wonder why second-degree. I don't know. It's always confusing.

They might be claiming it was during, like, a fight. Um, okay. Yeah. According to the lead detective on the case, Joseph Becerra, the verdict in the Berman case was only one of the factors that prompted this new filing. In addition to Becerra's discussions with the L.A. district attorney, he also cited, quote, So basically he bucked himself over.

They might be claiming it was during, like, a fight. Um, okay. Yeah. According to the lead detective on the case, Joseph Becerra, the verdict in the Berman case was only one of the factors that prompted this new filing. In addition to Becerra's discussions with the L.A. district attorney, he also cited, quote, So basically he bucked himself over.

Unfortunately, Robert Durst would never see a trial for the murder of Kathy Durst. On January 10th, 2022, he died from cardiac arrest at San Joaquin Hospital in California at the age of 78. Oh, it's so frustrating. His death in 2022 brought an end to the story of one of New York's wealthiest and most bizarre criminals.