Millionaire Robert Durst Found Guilty Of Killing His Best Friend Susan Berman
Sept. 17 2021, Published 7:48 p.m. ET
Robert Durst, a millionaire accused of murdering his best friend Susan Berman more than 20 years ago, has been found guilty of the first-degree murder.
The Manhattan heir allegedly shot his friend in the back of her head to allegedly stop her from telling the police about the death of his wife, Kathie Durst.
A Los Angeles County jury of nine women and three men spent over seven hours discussing the case Friday after a five-month trial that included 11- week presentation from prosecutors and 15 days of testimony from Durst himself.
The 78-year-old killer was not in the courtroom when the verdict was read after he reportedly had been exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. Robert initially pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The trial began in March last year and was put on a halt due to the pandemic. It resumed in May after the 14-month-delay.
Robert, however, has never been charged in the disappearance of his wife Kathie, who was never found and declared dead.
The L.A. prosecutors spent weeks trying to convince the jury that Robert also killed his wife to prove the theory of why he shot Berman.
His longtime friend was found dead on Dec. 24 with blood pooling around her head in her Benedict Canyon home. Jurors supported the allegation that he killed Berman because she was a witness and used a gun in the execution.
Consequently, Durst will face life in prison without the possibility of parole, and a sentencing hearing will be set for Oct.18.