GUILTY CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000

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Tortoise said:
Has anyone here been watching the prosecutor's opening statements? Talk about an epic. I hope the jury doesn't get put off by it.
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I don't know that the jury will be put off by the length of it, but I don't recall ever seeing an opening statement where essentially evidence, i.e. video that will be presented later as evidence, is shown to the jury in the opening. Usually it is just verbally described what they will be putting on as evidence in the trial. This is essentially presenting evidence to the jury twice. I'm just hoping it doesn't become an appeal issue.
 
Wednesday, March 11th:
*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial started on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Day 1-8) & Trial Day 1 (3/4/20) reference post #156 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/5/20 Thursday Day 2: Prosecutor John Levin continues his opening statements. Trial continues on Monday 3/9, as courts are dark on Fridays.
3/9/20 Monday Day 3: Prosecutor John Lewin did his opening statement. Plays jailhouse audio again between Durst and his wife Debrah. Played March 15, 2015 Lewin interviewed Durst in New Orleans. Prosecutor Lewin is continuing his opening statement with a recorded conversation with Durst's friend Nick Chavin. Also April 7, 2015 played. Oct. 15, 2015 interview played with Chavin. DA finished with his opening statement. Jurors excused until 9am PT tomorrow 3/10 when the defense will begin their opening statement.
3/10/20 Tuesday Day 4: Defense did their opening statements. Durst will testify according to defense’s opening statements. Jury excused until tomorrow with States's first witnesses. Trial continues on 3/11.
 
Thursday, March 12th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial started on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Day 1-8) & Trial Day 1 (3/4/20) reference post #156 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/5/20 Thursday Day 2: Prosecutor John Levin continues his opening statements. Trial continues on Monday 3/9, as courts are dark on Fridays.
3/9/20 Monday Day 3: Prosecutor John Lewin did his opening statement. Plays jailhouse audio again between Durst and his wife Debrah. Played March 15, 2015 Lewin interviewed Durst in New Orleans. Prosecutor Lewin is continuing his opening statement with a recorded conversation with Durst's friend Nick Chavin. Also April 7, 2015 played. Oct. 15, 2015 interview played with Chavin. DA finished with his opening statement. Jurors excused until 9am PT tomorrow 3/10 when the defense will begin their opening statement.
3/10/20 Tuesday Day 4: Defense did their opening statements. Durst will testify according to defense’s opening statements. Jury excused until tomorrow with State’s first witnesses. Trial continues on 3/11.
3/11/20 Wednesday Day 5: State witnesses: Dr. Marvin Karp (Berman's next door neighbor). Dr. Sandra Garfield, psychoanalyst (Berman's neighbor). Kathryn Shaw-Cutter (Berman's neighbor). Thomas Durst (Durst's younger brother). Kathryn Shaw-Cutter & Kathie Durst's Manhattan neighbor, Anne Andersen Doyle. Trial continues on 3/12.
 
Niner said:
Thursday, March 12th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial started on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Day 1-8) & Trial Day 1 (3/4/20) reference post #156 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/5/20 Thursday Day 2: Prosecutor John Levin continues his opening statements. Trial continues on Monday 3/9, as courts are dark on Fridays.
3/9/20 Monday Day 3: Prosecutor John Lewin did his opening statement. Plays jailhouse audio again between Durst and his wife Debrah. Played March 15, 2015 Lewin interviewed Durst in New Orleans. Prosecutor Lewin is continuing his opening statement with a recorded conversation with Durst's friend Nick Chavin. Also April 7, 2015 played. Oct. 15, 2015 interview played with Chavin. DA finished with his opening statement. Jurors excused until 9am PT tomorrow 3/10 when the defense will begin their opening statement.
3/10/20 Tuesday Day 4: Defense did their opening statements. Durst will testify according to defense’s opening statements. Jury excused until tomorrow with State’s first witnesses. Trial continues on 3/11.
3/11/20 Wednesday Day 5: State witnesses: Dr. Marvin Karp (Berman's next door neighbor). Dr. Sandra Garfield, psychoanalyst (Berman's neighbor). Kathryn Shaw-Cutter (Berman's neighbor). Thomas Durst (Durst's younger brother). Kathryn Shaw-Cutter & Kathie Durst's Manhattan neighbor, Anne Andersen Doyle. Trial continues on 3/12.
Click to expand...

I know they are only doing audio of the witnesses, but is there a place to listen live or to listen to previous testimony? L&C has got to be the crappiest crime website ever. Edit: Nevermind...found them on YouTube.
 
Update:

Thursday, March 12th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial started on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-5 (3/4/20 thru 3/11/20) reference post #164 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/12/20 Thursday, Day 6: State witnesses: Jim McCormack (Kathie Durst's brother). Marion Watlington (Kathie Durst's friend). Virginia McKeon (Kathie Durst's sister). LAPD officer Rashad Sharif (on patrol the day Susan's body found). Court is adjourned until 9 a.m. Monday, 3/16.
 
Monday, March 16th:
*Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial started on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-5 (3/4/20 thru 3/11/20) reference post #166 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/12/20 Thursday, Day 6: State witnesses: Jim McCormack (Kathie Durst's brother). Marion Watlington (Kathie Durst's friend). Virginia McKeon (Kathie Durst's sister). LAPD officer Rashad Sharif (on patrol the day Susan's body found). Court is adjourned until 9 a.m. Monday, 3/16.
 
@Niner FYI-

The Robert Durst murder trial has been postponed to April 6 amid concerns across the court system about coronavirus.

In the face of the growing outbreak, courts have taken a patchwork of measures: months-long delays in trials, excusing jurors over the age of 60, and temporarily closing courthouses altogether.

On Sunday, the Los Angeles County Superior Court announced that new criminal and civil trials would be put off for at least 30 days.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-15/robert-durst-murder-trial-postponed-due-to-coronavirus



 
@Chelly - you are going to groan some more.... :oops:

Robert Durst's Murder Trial Postponed Again Until May

March 27, 2020 @ 3:35 PM

Robert Durst’s murder trial has been postponed again: Now, it is to pick back up on May 26, according to a spokesperson for the Superior Court of California.

Earlier this month, the trial was postponed to April 6 due to the spread of the coronavirus. The announcement came a day after the Los Angeles Superior Court announced that criminal and civil trials will be delayed for at least 30 days amid concerns about the spread of the virus among the court system. Judges were encouraged to shift towards conducting proceedings by telephone to decrease the number of people in courthouses.
 
Niner said:
@Chelly - you are going to groan some more.... :oops:

Robert Durst's Murder Trial Postponed Again Until May

March 27, 2020 @ 3:35 PM

Robert Durst’s murder trial has been postponed again: Now, it is to pick back up on May 26, according to a spokesperson for the Superior Court of California.

Earlier this month, the trial was postponed to April 6 due to the spread of the coronavirus. The announcement came a day after the Los Angeles Superior Court announced that criminal and civil trials will be delayed for at least 30 days amid concerns about the spread of the virus among the court system. Judges were encouraged to shift towards conducting proceedings by telephone to decrease the number of people in courthouses.
Click to expand...
May 26.....More GROAN..
 
Now the attorneys are asking for a mistrial....

Robert Durst: attorneys for Jinx subject ask for mistrial over coronavirus delays

May 1, 2020
Attorneys for the real estate heir Robert Durst have asked a Los Angeles judge to declare a mistrial in the murder case against him, arguing he cannot get a fair trial with the long pause in the proceedings brought on by coronavirus court closures.
[.....]
On Thursday, Durst’s defense team filed a motion with the court calling the mid-trial break “prejudicial”, saying the stoppage that will last months even in the best case scenario makes it unrealistic that the jury will be able to perform its functions.

“The risk that jurors will not be accurately able to recall the evidence introduced prior to adjournment is heightened here,” the motion said.

Prosecutors had no comment.

The trial had been expected to last five months and had been under way for six days when it was put on hold, like all other Los Angeles county trials, because of the coronavirus.

The district attorney’s office announced later on Thursday that the long-awaited trial is scheduled to resume 23 June. That means a break of more than three months, with more delays still possible.
 
DA Wants to Air Videotaped Testimony of Key Witness in Robert Durst's Trial - MyNewsLA.com

April 29, 2020
Prosecutors in Robert Durst’s case asked a judge Wednesday to allow jurors to hear videotaped testimony of the government’s star witness and three other people who live outside of California after the trial resumes for the New York real estate scion, who’s charged with murdering a longtime friend at her home in the Benedict Canyon area of Los Angeles.

In court papers, prosecutors wrote that the four witnesses — including Nathan “Nick” Chavin — are all over 65 years old and are “at higher risk of severe illness or death due to COVID-19” and asked Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark E. Windham to find that they are unavailable to travel to Southern California to appear before the jury in Durst’s trial.

Chavin, now 75 and a New York state resident, was videotaped while testifying at a February 2017 hearing that he asked Durst about their mutual friend, Susan Berman, and that Durst responded that he “had no choice.”
 
Niner said:
Now the attorneys are asking for a mistrial....

Robert Durst: attorneys for Jinx subject ask for mistrial over coronavirus delays

May 1, 2020
Attorneys for the real estate heir Robert Durst have asked a Los Angeles judge to declare a mistrial in the murder case against him, arguing he cannot get a fair trial with the long pause in the proceedings brought on by coronavirus court closures.
[.....]
On Thursday, Durst’s defense team filed a motion with the court calling the mid-trial break “prejudicial”, saying the stoppage that will last months even in the best case scenario makes it unrealistic that the jury will be able to perform its functions.

“The risk that jurors will not be accurately able to recall the evidence introduced prior to adjournment is heightened here,” the motion said.

Prosecutors had no comment.

The trial had been expected to last five months and had been under way for six days when it was put on hold, like all other Los Angeles county trials, because of the coronavirus.

The district attorney’s office announced later on Thursday that the long-awaited trial is scheduled to resume 23 June. That means a break of more than three months, with more delays still possible.
Click to expand...
Well of course they are asking for a mistrial!!!
This damn pandemic is also working in Durst's favor. Infuriating!
 
Well - according to this article the actual trial is not going to restart until July....

Robert Durst murder trial may move to new California court

May 24, 2020

TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) — The California murder trial of real estate heir Robert Durst is likely to move to a new venue this summer, depending on how a judge rules on a defense motion for a mistrial.

The case against the 77-year-old scion of one of New York’s wealthiest real estate dynasties is expected to move to the Inglewood courthouse from Los Angeles, The Daily Breeze reported Friday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Windham will consider the defense’s mistrial motion in a hearing scheduled for June 23, court spokeswoman Mary Hearn said.
[.....]
The attorneys say the stoppage, which is expected to end with a scheduled resumption of the trial July 27, makes it unrealistic the jury will be able to perform its functions.
 
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