In that case, Durst successfully argued that his victim’s death was an accident.
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Durst’s convoluted life was the subject of The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, a six-part documentary on HBO. During the final episode of the series, filmmakers revealed audio captured accidentally during an interview break in which Durst mumbles, “What the hell did I do?” “Bob Durst did not kill Susan Berman, does not know who did, and wants to prove it”. Defense attorney Richard DeGuerin occasionally repeated questions into Durst’s right ear; he told the judge that Durst’s left ear is completely deaf.
The 72-year-old has been in custody in Louisiana since his arrest in March, and initially pleaded not guilty to the charge. He acknowledged to Engelhardt that he was on “a whole slew” of medications but said he could understand the proceedings. The maximum penalty Durst could face is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Durst, who is a convicted felon, is not allowed to own a firearm.
He was formally arrested on a New Orleans hotel before the airing of “The Jinx”, HBO’s documentary about Durst’s crimes which include Berman and his wife’s death, as well as the dismemberment of his neighbor Moris Black.
The acceptance of the plea deal is another step towards Durst’s extradition to California, where he is wanted in connection of Berman’s death.
Durst pleaded guilty Wednesday to a weapons charge and agreed to seven years and a month in prison.
Also not listed were other items found in his hotel room, including items prosecutors have said showed he was planning to flee to Cuba, such as a head-and-chest flesh-toned latex mask with salt-and-pepper hair, an apparently fake Texas ID, and a map folded to show Louisiana and Cuba.
It was unclear whether the recording of Durst’s comments could be used in court, some legal experts said, since they were made in a bathroom when he was alone and had an expectation of privacy.
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The judge handling the case at the time, U.S. District Judge Helen “Ginger” Berrigan, denied that bid, ruling that the later warrant search was valid on its own.
