Robert Durst Is JINXED: HBO Documentary Leads To Arrest For Murder Of Friend Susan Berman, Possible Ties To Other Cases
Image Courtesy Gerald Herbert/ AP
If Robert Durst was a fictional protagonist featured in Andrew Jarecki and Marc Smerling’s HBO’s docuseries The Jinx, he would be my favorite villain on cable right now. He is not. Durst is a slight man whose wallet is bigger than he is. Because he ignored the advice of the $2million dollar defense team that won him an acquittal on murder charges of his neighbor Morris Black in Galvaston- he is now facing a first degree murder charge in Los Angeles.
Durst is accused of killing his long-time friend turned publicist Susan Berman in 2000 after she informed him police from Westchester County, NY sought an interview with her about Kathie Durst’s disappearance in 1982. This was also immediately after Berman cashed a check from Durst for $50,000. Berman’s killer sent a note to LAPD indicating there was a cadaver at her residence the day Durst boarded a plane from San Francisco to New York. When Durst was confronted with this information his response was, “California is a big state.” It is believed that Durst may have used Berman’s mob boss Father’s contacts to dispose of his wife’s remains in “The Pines” of New Jersey.* During filming, Susan Berman’s son located a letter to Susan from Bobby Durst which he provided to Jarecki. The nearly identical block print style is further complimented by the exact same misspelled word- BEVERLEY.
HBO
Neither Jarecki nor Smerling have commented directly on the authenticity of the chronology of the series after editing of The Jinx. In other words, it is unclear when Jarecki formed the opinion he was interviewing the man responsible for the murder of his best friend and confidant- and likely at least two others. It IS clear that the title, The Jinx, reflects Durst’s self-assessment.
Durst was arrested in New Orleans on Saturday evening; the night before the series finale aired on HBO.
Kathleen Durst, Robert Durst’s first wife, disappeared following what Durst described as a “pushing and shoving” kind of argument at their West Salem, NY home. Durst states in The Jinx that he is complicit in her disappearance because his behavior drove her to leave him and her fourth year of medical school- but that’s all. At the time, Ms. Durst had recently proposed a divorce settlement through her lawyer which Mr. Durst declined. Kathie Durst has never been located and was declared legally dead in 2001. The couple was the basis for the loosely fictionalized film, All Good Things, which was Jarecki’s first crack at Durst and the impetus for Durst to contact Jarecki after seeing it. Durst audaciously proposes and agrees to participate in ‘Jinx’.
“… Is he crazy enough to participate?…” - Andrew Jarecki
” The downside to me about giving an interview is that the interviewer will take what I have said to make me look as bad as possible.” – Robert Durst
“… The upside is that there will be something out there from me, I mean this whole time since I have gotten out of prison, I’ve said nothing to nobody about anything… I will be able to tell it my way and if somebody is reasonably open to a different story or a different situation than what has been put in the media, they’ll have an opportunity to believe it…” – Robert Durst
“… Look, I know you want to tell your story it’s important to you, and that’s fine by me but I want you to remember one thing. You run the risk of pissing people off and people that have intentions contrary to your liberty, don’t forget that.” – Chip Lewis, Durst Atty
Bob Durst, the eldest son of Seymour and Bernice Durst was still in his tender years when his Father summoned him to wave to his Mother standing on the roof of the family home in her nightie. Seconds later Mrs. Durst leapt to her death. In his own words for the first time, Durst recounts many of his family foibles in the six part HBO series. Some highlights include the fact that over a dozen members of his family have permanent restraining orders against him and he was acquitted of trespassing at his brother Douglas Durst ‘s home while the series was being edited.
‘Jinx’ masterfully elicits answers from Durst he has never before allowed to be asked of him on camera without a subpoena. Bobby Durst’s one-on-one interview footage is the equivalent of watching a curious zoo exhibit. As the animal on display he is a hybrid between a bijou baby chimp alternating scratching his head and quirky facial tics and the predatory poise of a carnivorous jackal protecting and simultaneously marking his territory. Durst was arrested for urinating on a cash register and a display of candy at a Houston CVS in June 2014.
This time around in the courtroom, Bob’s still largely-intact legal team will be defending a murder charge in the city of Angels where Durst is now likely considered somewhat of a celebrity due to the wildly popular miniseries in his honor. While most legal analysts agree that overcoming the odds of a man appearing to be speaking to his alter ego in the restroom on a hot mic actually admitting he ‘killed them all, of course”, is herculean even by LA’s celebrity acquittal record- there are the very obvious indications that Durst suffers from a spectrum of personality disorders. However, as Durst did consent to the interview and was told that the interview was completed, his commentary could be precluded from admission at trial as his “admission” and subsequent statements made by him were uttered with the expectation of privacy and not part of the interview. In an earlier episode Durst began speaking to himself without realizing the mic was still hot and producers informed him.
The LAPD has been quick to deny there is any link to The Jinx and the timing of Durst’s arrest one day before the season finale. In the handful of interviews Jarecki and Smerling gave just prior to the curtain call of reality that they are likely now witnesses in the murder case, Jarecki says that LAPD has had both the audio recording and the newly discovered letter to Berman for many months. On the surface considering Berman’s case is fifteen years cold, the timing does seem uncanny. Jeanine Pirro, former Westchester County District Attorney and chief bird dog in renewing her agencies vigor in the missing person case of Kathie Durst for six years -does not share the LAPD sentiment.
“…“These two producers did what law enforcement in three states could not do in 30 years, kudos to them. They were meticulous, they were focused, they were clear.” Jeanine Pirro
The prosecution in the Berman murder has its challenges in a high profile case where it cannot be disputed that evidence gleaned during the filming of “The Jinx” implicates Durst- IF -one is to believe in the forensic significance of document examination. One thing is certain- if expert testimony of the comparison of the letter Durst wrote Berman on his letterhead and the envelope and letter Durst himself states “could only come from the killer” revealed during the taping is admitted at trial, Durst will likely have a compelling explanation for it. It’s his thing. He chopped up a man and dumped him in the bay-sans his head, and convinced a jury he did that in self defense. This author is doubtful that had Durst not proposed the series of interviews that he would have been charged in Berman’s murder at all. Jarecki and HBO et al deserves Ms. Pirro’s kudos if indeed Jarecki went into the project objectively and investigatively.
Before Durst faces that left coast criminal court machine, he must answer the instant charges against him in New Orleans for firearm and drug possession- both of which were located in his hotel room when he was arrested on the Los Angeles warrant. As this article is scheduled to be published a source within the LAPD who is not authorized to comment on the case publicly, has confirmed to BlinkOnCrime that their office is receiving a flurry of calls from other agencies handling missing persons cases of young women.
And so it begins.
( *Authors note: I know, the thought of her out there with Adriana’s carcass to boot is too much to bear)
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Property under name of Robert Durst ” company ” WoofWoof LLC”
http://newyorks.property/parcels/woofwoof-llc.128409.html
Robert Durst company:
http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Huntsville/july-15-real-estate-llc/36911476.aspx
this company was formed in April when Durst was in jail in new jersey. The release date for his sentence was July 15. Name of company… July 15
http://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Huntsville/july-15-real-estate-llc/36911476.aspx
Company in New orleans called: ” Igor’s LLC”
no name given for owner
http://businessfinder.nola.com/igors-llc-new-orleans-la-2.html
when arrested in New orleans, Durst had fake ID for ” Everett Ward”. When questioned about it, his response was” ” Thats pretty good”
Everett Ward was the name of a character in a 1971 episode of “Ironsides”
The title of the episode was ” Riddle In Room Six”
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0612490/
Would love to know what that episode was about.
précis on content of ” Riiddle in Rom Six”, which featured Duggan as Everett Ward (Durst alias in New orleans). The episode is apparently about a mobster’s trial, with a holdout juror who has been bribed.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0612490/?ref_=ttep_ep7
2001 NY Post article citing connection between Emilio Vignoni and Durst- they were business partners at one time. Durst used credit card with name Emilio Vignoni to check into hotel in Pennsylvania after jumping bail on Morris Black case.
http://nypost.com/2001/12/06/dursts-trail-of-deception-ended-at-modest-pa-hotel/
———-
BLINK-
am I driving you crazy with these posts about Durst aliases? I will stop if it is more a hindrance than a help!
blink writes:
In one weekend, I had to invent something worthy of a patent and provide an investor model plan and development matrix complete with a PP and mounted design poster, receive out of town guests and complete 2 1500 min word essays on classic lit as it contrasts contract law of the day. I hate contract law. Watching beige paint dry ( I have myriads of expansions on this that are hilarious but not BOC appropriate) is the path of the blinkette. I digress.
—-
wow, apologies for inundating you with my meanderings through the aliases! I will be more circumspect in the future, more respectful of your time, Blink. Thanks as always for your patience.
Lol- please do not apologize who- I am more interested in Durst by the day and absolutely appreciate the digging and conversation. Just a little late night “phew” on my part.
B
Compat in texas formed by robert Durst in 2014. Resident agent listed as Christppher Garcia. Name of Company: Kudzu.
http://www.corporationwiki.com/p/2fkrzc/kudzu-llc
Wonder if that is an Asian reference to Debra?
B
Laughing at Blink’s beige paint comment about contract law in her response to Who.
Yes, contracts for performance can be boring where the contract tries to identify all potential failures and provide a guide and a cure for them.
All right miss inventor, I didn’t see anything in your detail of the process of a notebook detailing the invention with dates and descriptions. Maybe your course didn’t require it. The notebook is the evidence of when the idea began and how it was developed. It also becomes an aid to the patent attorneys in their search to find existing patents for similar products.
And don’t think that patent attorneys are the last word in the decision process. In our modern industrial world, things have become too complicated without them having special help.
O/T: lol- the invention project was actually Blink Jr’s and he says I am not allowed to share our invention until he presents it to his class- he drew #16 so prolly end of the week.
blink writes:
Wonder if that is an Asian reference to Debra?
B
— have to agree that there are parallels to a vine that covers everything in its path…
but perhaps of interest is the fact that in chinese medicine, among the herbs used to treat hydrocephalus, Kudzu is a component.
See link , listing kudzu as third ingredient:
http://www.google.com/patents/CN103705639A?cl=en
O/T:
This class of B Jr’s appears to be a class that is about making and invention and then making presentations to potential investors.
Since, I have done this about five times in the real world, my suggestion to make the exercise more realistic, he should have a few pages of a notebook with the date on each page. A concept drawing in isomentric or exploded view, if a product to be manufactured or if simple, a plan and elevation view.
A simple step to lock in a date is to write a letter to a family member describing the potential patent and take the letter to the post office using certified mail with a return receipt. That will establish an outside source for a date.
These steps are probably not in the teachers knowledge base,but is done all the time by real inventors.
That is an excellent suggestion ATG- I had not thought about an independent confirmation to each other- thinking our time stamped research and citations/stats would be enough.
On top of everything else, your wealth of experience, I should say I am not surprised to hear you have a patent (s).
B
O/T
The time/date stamp from a computer can be destroyed in a patent litigation due to the fact that both are changeable by the user. That makes an outside source valuable.
Agreed and thank you
B
blink writes:
Durst is undefined criminally- and that has always attracted me to him as a subject since my first knowledge of him.
——
SO- today I had the occasion to meet the head of neuropsychology at UCLA on unrelated and general matter that was local public school system oriented.Afterwards, on the way to the elevator in just his company, I asked the question that the majority of the locals here in Los Angeles ask each other- ” Are you following the Durst case?”
His immediate response was to look down with a sympathetic shake of the head, look up and sigh before summing it all up by saying” Born that way”.
His point of view was that chemistry is an irrefutable influence on behavior, and posited that as well as inherent issues, there may be brain damage involved also- making the point that the intersection of of an individual’s inherent make up and environment conspire to result in a person’s ongoing behavior…. and that the diagnostic challenge is to discern what the environment triggers are , and what is coming from within.
Nothing that anyone with this background doesn’t know, but I am always on a learning curve and felt this was a great source with words I could understand (lol)
Bottom line is that Durst’s environment was always under the umbrella of unlimited funds. As much info about his health that has been given by De Guerin.. and Durst, it has never included any revelation about psychiatric care, psychopharmecutical use for existing conditions….
The plea of insanity was blocked by Charatan, saying that if he pled that in Morris Black Case, he would lose access to monies and so would she) But according to the NY Times on march 31, Charatan involvement with Durst was minimal at this point.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/01/nyregion/robert-dursts-wife-steps-back-after-years-of-defending-him.html?_r=0
so IF it ever makes it to court in Los Angeles, and IF LA has more than the Jinx to rely on… I think the insanity plea will be on the table
What an interesting perspective who- and fwiw, I agree with the neuro feedback (NOS) in general on Durst. If you are interested in furthering your research/knowledge I can recommend a book I read and used as a reference in a guest lecture I gave a few months back on BPD/Psycopathy/Sociopath. It’s written by the other James Fallon (not Jimmy) who is a neuroscientist at University of Ca- Irvine- The Psychopath within
As far as Durst mounting an insanity defense in Berman’s murder from 2000- I respectfully disagree that will hit the table- if you meant to say that he may be declared unfit to stand trial- unless he really is, I doubt that as well. Durst may have psych disorders but that does not make him incapable of knowing right from wrong nor render him unable to aid in his own defense. The statutory hurdles for a mental defense (not guilty or not liable, either way) also does not have any bearing as to whether or not a civil finding might render an “incompetent” for whatever transactions one is trying to reverse or avoid. If the Feds do not have a dog in this fight over a measely gun charge, I will be very surprised, unless the goal is to outlast Durst.
B
blink writes
Durst may have psych disorders but that does not make him incapable of knowing right from wrong nor render him unable to aid in his own defense.
——-
Got it, you’re right.
But just want to point out that Durst claimed he dismembered Morris Black and threw his separated body parts into Galveston bay because he (durst) was afraid no one would believe that he had killed Black in self defense.Yes, the jury bought it. But it’s still nuts.
We as a society are gaining more scientific knowledge regarding the functions of DNA in the makeup of humans and animals. What triggers the complex genetic map that designs the various individuals and how some genes may be turned on or partially turned on and others not.
Robert Durst is the product of of his hereditary DNA from father and mother as are his siblings. Each is generally like the others, but genetic activity has made them all individually unique.
One day science will uncover the information that makes us all unique and then identify genetic markers that lead to tendencies for disease and behavior.
The final product is a combination of genes and the environment in which one grows up and a big part of that environment is dependent on the moral choices one makes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/02/nyregion/millionaire-fugitive-has-been-caught-but-mysteries-remain.html‘
‘The realization sunk in,” Officer Brenner explained.
For a man who eluded the law by dressing as a woman and pretending to be mute, the mundane nature of his capture seemed out of character.
Why would a man with hundreds of dollars in his pockets steal a sandwich? Was this an attempt by Mr. Durst to turn himself in, on the day before the nationally televised program ”America’s Most Wanted” was to broadcast a report on his case? Was he living in the area or just passing through? Was he alone?
****
Interesting that he was going to be featured on America’s Most Wanted the next day after his arrest in the chicken sandwich and a band aid job. Was he afraid of more National exposure?
whodunit,
I spent the weekend googling LLC with Woof, Woofing, Woof Woof Igor etc. I think the Igors LLC in New Orleans is not associated with Durst. The kudzu is a hoot yet Durst was into health food etc so he may well have been mixing up a brew in that bedroom with cement floors. The Durst Group has Organic Farms and if I remember correctly one was in Texas. I can not tell you how many of the Woof Woof Igor searches brought up “Young Frankenstein”. Just a thought.
I felt the Durst case(s) so intensive on past fact mastery— like Anthony, Arias, & ilk — that like those cases I could never immerse myself adequately to contribute. I felt I would rely on Blink, Who ((Yr info is just right as always), and 3.0, and others to understand.
But I see some points of contribution.
Like Blink I see no evidence Durst directly murdered Berman.
Who, I am on board with that ucla neuropsych you met in the elevator that much more is explained constitutionally (genes and/or in utero insults–mechanical, infections, substances, etc) than environmentally.
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I ADORE Fallon:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127888976
http://www.ted.com/talks/jim_fallon_exploring_the_mind_of_a_killer?language=en
—-
Imo Durst’ issues were initially Constitutional, but there was an environmental element, and then the decades-long drug overlay; so at this age, who knows diagnostically which is what?
If any expert witness claims clear diagnostics, imo is a charleton.
—
Durst will not be found unfit to stand trial.
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DA needs to do what he has to to avoid an ngri.
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wrt patent presentation. Am glad to see other parents extend the assignment to extra teaching inputs.
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My dau won a few prizes in a County & Regional sci fair where she unlike others included a data hard copy notebook.
Which the teacher lost. Like ATG, I like teaching the inclusion of underlying inputs in hard copy notebook form.
—
I was primed to ask the spouse to get beige paint for water damaged basement walls. Maybe we need another color.
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Who, the aliases are fascinating, but I am wondering in the brief slice on this page if there is a confabulation issue.
@whoduneit
Really enjoyed your posts and links here today Thanks
I get the feeling you are into this case
I found the info on present wife very interesting
Thanks Malty!
I got into the same way most people may have, I watched the Jinx. Then I read “Deadly Secrets”- but most of all THIS SITE!
Mom 3.0
I don’t know if you have seen this article, but it certainly supports your feelings about the skewing of the documentary!… interesting interview with Matt Birbecker, author of Deadly Secrets
http://www.vulture.com/2015/04/robert-durst-biographer-jinx-factually-incorrect.html
More from Matt Birbeck, an interview dated March 17:
http://www.people.com/article/robert-durst-burning-questions-answered-charged-murder-jinx
Evidently Birbeck has added new information with the re -release of of his original book, so I guess we can expect to hear more from him…
Who- I ordered the audibook which releases 4/21- Birbeck knows this man, this case better than anyone, imo.
B
blink writes:
Birbeck knows this man, this case better than anyone, imo.
—–
I have read the book including updates after Morris Black trial, have not gotten the reprint with newest things, but will get that on my kindle so I can skim more easily, lol
Just know going in that the book is a ” searing indictment” type tome, that, which not sensationalized, basically presents evidence and connects dots that one cannot help but come to same conclusion as Birbeck that this man is guilty as guilty can be – and that Law enforcement has been stuck in quagmires of political and geographic encumbrance , no coordination between jurisdictions- which has allowed Durst to be as free as any moving target could possibly be…. interesting and provocative, perhaps more objective than The Jinx- in that Birbeck was never contacted by durst or engaged to present his (durst’s )
side.
Reading this book allowed me to view The Jinx as a first rate documentary for what it was worth, as well as the many other articles and programs from over the years one can access on line- its like all the other stuff is a ” subset” of Birbeck’s dogged persistence to light the trails Durst has left behind..
Who- you said.. “and that Law enforcement has been stuck in quagmires of political and geographic encumbrance…” I don’t know if you write in your profession but that was a winner for me. Nice job.
It may sound odd coming from me, because as you know I am on the record that jarecki has some “splainin” to do wrt how he presented the Jinx.. vs the actual facts and chronology. I don’t think one gets to call it a docuseries and completely abandon explanation of how a dude ( rightfully so) ends up in prison as a result but I am confident that will all be very clear in the end. That said- strictly as a entertainment piece I still say it was brilliant and glossy and at the end of the day… Durst is in the klink for now.
Something Roy Hazelwood once said to me- (and class) The exception can become the rule- don’t ever forget it. Durst is the exception and rule, imo.
B
Matt Birbeck also wrote The Beautiful Child
A really great book about Franklin Floyd and Sharron
I think I read his book about Durst. As I was so impressed with his writing
@whodunnit
I didn’t watch Jinks. But a few years ago read a book on him and how a very rich man rented a 300 apt and lived like a mute woman Then killed the neighbor and got off on self defense I was interested
To know more about this Durst
A Beatiful Child I read lately that they know who Sharron was now
Something I read on Durst gave me the idea that Kathie was able to escape the abuse but I am re thinking that now
Blink writes:
I don’t think one gets to call it a docuseries and completely abandon explanation of how a dude ( rightfully so) ends up in prison as a result but I am confident that will all be very clear in the end.
——
Rumor in Los Angeles: HBO will get another ” episode ” from Jareki and Smerling as follow up to the Jinx
And at this point , I am starting to wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg- meaning: it seems that LAPD and Feds have been following Durst closely for at the very least the past three years, i.e. well before release of The Jinx- so I am wondering if LE was counting on the documentary to trigger Durst. I am absolutely certain that when filmmakers contacted LAPD regarding what they beleived to be relevant ” evidence”, LAPD in no uncertain terms told Jareki they would not discuss any details of the case with filmmakers because ” it was under investigation”, and referred him to the DA. I know they had contact with DA before release of docu. The deal with HBO was made and the doc aired within of that acquisition. Even HBO had not seen the doc in it’s entirety before making the deal. My point is that- and my HOPE is that LE had enough on their own to charge Durst.
I believe Los Angeles LE knew enough about Durst psyche that Durst would react in some way, after JINX was shown- and in anticipation of that, upped their game and tightened the noose, to make sure that THIS time, they wouldn’t lose track of him, would keep close enough tabs so that Durst wouldn’t disappear into an alias or alter ego. The confusing thing to me is that all that has been released vis a vis charges against Durst for Berman is charge of involvement in her death, the lying in wait charge (which as you said is a charge that doesn’t neccessarally mean he himself did it) and the repeated phrase “preparing to flee”. How can one be guilty of preparing to flee if he hasn’t been charged with anything yet?
who- I have no doubt Jarecki and Smerling will get AT LEAST another episode of JINX. Or Hell- maybe even a “The Jinx Files” what you didn’t see… I am all for it because I doubt I could get enough knowledge and observations of Durst. And for the record- they may not come out and admit it, but many of my former FBI instructors and mentors are equally as fascinated ( occupational hazard of spotting a hybrid- highly exceptioned criminal). Birbeck’s recent interviews are titillating to say the least and I look forward to the release on the 21st.
That said- one thing I am certain of is that there was VERY LITTLE communication between jurisdictions with the FBI and LAPD and NYSP. It’s just protocol. I will tell you why- in general there tends to be a pi**ing match over state v fed charges and the prevailing theory is always that a homicide will trump even a ponzi scheme of Madoff proportion and therefore the State has the right to protect it’s victims interest first. Sounds fair, right? Not so much when we are talking about a man worth (at least) $100 million. Why? because of forfeiture and asset freeze laws. If the FBI had Durst under surveillance for the last few years, either his business dealings are corrupt and they are looking to relieve him of any monies he has earned as a result ( a very big reach and the truth is he would be well aware of it) OR as Birbeck points out they think he is predatory, and serial offender ( possible serial killer) of some kind. Let me say I could be wrong, and again, in agreeing with Birbeck’s thinking he is tied to Mitchell to closely to be ignored, but I do not see Durst as being responsible for the Long Island cases -which prompted interest in him in the first place, or a string of unsolved anything.
He is a utility killer at best, imo. Utility to protect his interests ultimately. To your point- NO- this is not a unilateral interest in Berman’s murder or more succinctly a backdoor to both Berman and Kathie Durst. I hope you are right and there is much more in play- but if there is, I am inclined to think the Feds are holding those cards.
B
Blink- typo alert, writing too quickly as usual
meant to write:
The deal with HBO was made and the doc aired within six weeks of that acquisition. I left out words “six weeks” in my previous post.
—————-
O/T-Who- I have known that for some time
Heart you and appreciate your trust. As a general comment I am a staunch advocate of privacy on my site as you prolly know and expect.
B
Blink when you say “He is a utility killer at best, imo. Utility to protect his interests ultimately.” I have to wonder what are his interests? What motivates someone to spend his life adopting aliases? He appears to be a man that moves from place to place..no roots. No family involvement. Did he kill Kathy, rather accidentally or planned and now he spends his life covering for that first act?
I still have to wonder if he had shown problems before his mother died. Did he in some way know or feel he had something to do with her jumping to her death? In the article that Who posted with the interview of Matt Birbeck he says “The really big question also was, when Durst was 10 years old, he went to go see a psychiatrist because he was having mental issues after his mother died. The psychologist letter is in the book, and he says he can’t even be treated because he’s got some real severe issues.”
I wonder if the Durst family spent years trying to protect Robert’s interest of bad deeds?
Ode- as usual you raise an excellent point- and as a matter of fact I probably owe an apology for my brevity in that regard. You are entirely correct to ask those lingering questions and to sharpen the point- it is exactly why I can say I find Durst fascinating from an analyst perspective. The best way I can describe that clinical need- is to contrast him with Casey Anthony. Anthony is an utter sociopath. No surprises whatsoever. Her familial system echoes same. In my view, she should have been in jail for abuses to her child ( and technically she prolly spent 1/2 of the time she would have) but it was quite easy to define that profile and as a result it has usefuleness as data for the future.
You raise the questions that need to be answered so they have investigative value as precedence or empirically.
B
blink writes
I hope you are right and there is much more in play- but if there is, I am inclined to think the Feds are holding those cards.
———–
My concern is the same as yours ( broken record): if all they have is what Durst says in the Jinx, it is like arresting someone based on a reality show revelation- and we all know that even reality shows are scripted to an extent, with situations created purposely to in turn create drama and conflict…
That documentary , in my opinion, simply must be viewed as what happened when Durst asked/agreed with filmmakers to participate in exploration of what Durst had to say.
It is unusual to place yourself in a documentary, like the film makers did as ” interviewers”- doing that is already a hybrid of the format. I agree some splainin to do, and I do agree with MOM 3.0 that not presenting verifiable chronology in the events and receiving of facts can be perceived as lack of truth, – at the very least a manipulation of the truth…. because it takes away the ability of the viewer to draw their own conclusions I think what we saw is what Smerling and jareki did when Durst said and did what he did – not investigative in the legal sense but a documenting of their reactions, if that makes sense.
If Durst had not been arrested, I don’t think the Jinx would be under the magnifying glass the way it is.
You are gonna love Deadly Secrets.It stands up to scrutiny- and if anyone has contributed to keeping this case open, connecting dots that LE had never been able to do, I would say it is Birbeck.That guy has a mission!
O/T
heart you back!
Utility killer. Agree
Makes one wonder if they had that kind of money what they would do
With their life
Money and need drives the average person
Don’t know if this has been posted but I found some amusing stories in it
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/200204/killer-in-the-blue-dress
Since I am in the same age group as Durst
I can’t hardly believe while most of us were dealing with marriage kids and paying bills
This guy was doing so many outrages things. Not that I believe every word written and said about him
I have to wonder did he ever grow up Or just older
I just finished the book by Birkbeck. The first thing I noted was in the very beginning that Robert may well have seen his mother’s death. I have to think that that alone could traumatize a young child and who knows how damaging that could have been. The book shows that Robert found his mother missing from her bed after an earlier medical emergency and ran to tell the adults. It also stated that police and fire were there when she jumped so why the h…did they not have someone isolate this child from the scene. They would have had to have had time if the police had time to get to the house. So sad.
I also felt the picture of Gilberte’s actions were startling. The fact that Kathie was so messed up and allowed to leave Gilberte’s house gives a complete different picture of what may have happened between Robert and her the evening she disappeared. This could have been the first bad act that snowballed into what we know about Durst’s actions today.
I would like to know if they ever searched the Pines area where the PI’s hired by Douglas to follow Robert saw him drive to?
I have to agree with you on that fateful evening Ode- while there is plenty of evidence that Durst was physically abusive in the past, adding booze and/or substances to that mix is dangerous for sure.
So now I can’t wait to read- because I did not know anyone saw Durst at the Pines. One of the reasons why I think Durst most certainly had a mafia connection with the disposal of Kathie’s remains is because she was never found- they know what they are doing- there’s no telling wth is in the stretch of woods.
B
Let me wet your appetite a little more Blink. Morris Black was also into real estate and owned his own buildings that he rented out. Collected his rent personally and was a nasty landlord.
How was he about to get convicted then I wonder? Reading now and in between classes, lol
B
blink writes
One of the reasons why I think Durst most certainly had a mafia connection with the disposal of Kathie’s remains is because she was never found- they know what they are doing- there’s no telling wth is in the stretch of woods.
————
Because Durst put forth that Kathie had gone to Manhattan, the case was officially a missing person case in NYC, not Salem. The lake was not dredged immediately for same reason.They did not even search the salem house til years later after it had been sold twice. All this according to book, fwiw.
Regarding the Pines- It has been pointed out a few times the precision with which Morris Black’s body was dismembered, and posited that knowing how to do this took some knowledge- not exactly hodgepodge. So couldn’t dismemberment or placing body in water be considered also?
In Texas where he is a convicted felon he had to provide a DNA sample- and although I can’t confirm this yet, Birbeck alleges there is now a DNA tie to Durst on the “cadaver” letter. For me, that is pretty useless considering the problems with chain of custody but I’m not sure it matters because I am fairly convinced the feds intend to hang onto him for the duration.
B
As I understand it, the concept that the body was dumped in The Pines came from knowledge that this was an infamous area that mob connections used to dispose of bodies, and the linkage to Berman and HER mob ties, as she was his spokesperson at time of missing person filing.
Also in book, Birbeck states that when the current owners of the Salem house were approached by law enforcement, the wife remembered spots on the dishwasher that looked like blood, and luminal proved this to be true as noted in book, amazingly, the same dishwasher was still in house after all those years. Also noted at that time was a weird upper cupboard on a wall that was tested.
I have not found any source stating that Durst submitted to DNA testing though I assume he did.
Whodunnit says,
As I understand it, the concept that the body was dumped in The Pines came from knowledge that this was an infamous area that mob connections used to dispose of bodies, and the linkage to Berman and HER mob ties, as she was his spokesperson at time of missing person filing.
*****
I would add that he was connected to 2 collect calls in Ship Bottom near that area. The collect calls were made to the Durst Offices and it was well understood that Bobby would call making collect calls to save a dime.
Correct. and I have the info on the laundromat on LBI that has not been made public. Interestingly in JINX- Durst says he is aware of another individual he called collect who had a shore house. The Pine Barrens cross 7 NJ coastal counties. Anyone look into Prudence Farrow addresses of the time?
B
I also think the book somewhat showed that Morris Black was in
(?)Boston at the time. He was not down South in New Orleans. This and other things about Black is why I am interested if it is possible Robert knew Black long before his murder.
One last thought. I do not think they actually found blood on the dishwasher. The book indicated that they did go back and sprayed with luminal but the story kind of stopped without results. Beccara did say he wanted to confront Robert about things which included blood on the dishwasher but I feel he was referring to testimony as opposed to actual blood evidence. The interesting thing I found about that part of the book was the fact that 2 (alleged) police officers showed up and the housekeeper took them in and showed them the blood and they said that was nothing etc. He also said they had read in the newspaper about Mrs. Durst disappearance and no warrant had been issued for a search. Clean-up crew? Let the housekeeper come to clean and then approach her as she would be the one to find anything out of the ordinary. Weird weird.
Ode writes:
This and other things about Black is why I am interested if it is possible Robert knew Black long before his murder.
——
Going back to Birbeck book, as I understood it, a private detective di search engines on Morris Black and found holes in his past, meaning periods of time where there were no traces of his whereabouts. The implication was that a person who had his itinerant background and corroborated level of hostility would lots of people said he was an angry guy etc) this could fit into a profile of a hit man type person.
The Morris Black case , interestingly to me, didnt really put Morris Black’s character on trial in the same way that we saw in Arias trial with Alexander– but they did put Pirro on trial by linking her persecution of Durst to his need to hide the ” accidental murder” I am wondering if they didnt draw too much attention to the depth of the relationship between Morris Black and Durst because there wasn’t on,e or if it was because there WAS a link and they didnt want anyone to really think about that.
Book says that Black and Durst arrived in Galveston within a month of each other. galveston described as a place where people go to get away and hide… so maybe just a coincidence, but yes, I am with you on this, I think Black and Durst had an involvement that led to Black’s death that was more than just a blow up one day in the apartment. If Black was so violent that he would brandish a gun at someone, why did he pick Durst instead of anyone else- and what would Durst have done that would have provoked the situation? Why would Durst be associated with someone who was known to be that violent in the first place, if Durst was really in Galveston just to have some peace?
Ode writes:
This and other things about Black is why I am interested if it is possible Robert knew Black long before his murder.
——
I have a friend who had not seen the Jinx, and we binged watched it together tonight. She was not aware of anything about Durst etc.
Her takeaway was really interesting, Her opinion is that Susan Berman had knowledge of Black as someone who had done work for the mob, and Berman connected Black with Durst to dispose of Kathie’s body.
My friend is in the business end of music industry, has a healthy respect for the power of imagination and creativity and loves the entertainment factor, so our post viewing discussion was more in that spirit than ” sleuthing” But her theory is provocative, especially in light of the fact that even LE doesn’t seem to know much about Black
Another thing she pointed out- when Durst went to Douglas’s house and ended up arrested for breaking the restraining order) he was dressed like a little boy, right down to the back pack and a pair of shorts..For interviews, he was in a suit jacket at times, and in general,” adult” clothes. Was it the damaged little boy in Durst who went to his brother’s stoop?
Who- you may recall I pointed out that in “All Good Things” jarecki spun that it was Black who went to kill Berman, which Jarecki does not mention in JINX. Looking back and now about 1/2 way through Birbeck’s book I am inclined to say that I truly believe Black was up to something with Durst- and Durst does not appear to have a single random relationship and that includes those whose id he has stolen in the past.
To your ( via your friend) point about how Robert was dressed in shorts that day with the backpack- I don’t know if he was going for the litle boy look but I am positive his attire that day has meaning to him and an intended meaning to another.
B
Thanks for the link who-
Nypost has alot of articles on Durst g I read back and was able to locate alot that supports D.H.s earlier post for instance Durst wanting to beat Lankford
http://nypost.com/2003/09/26/the-durst-tapes-bitter-robert-planned-to-knock-off-his-brother/
heres the link to go back
http://nypost.com/tag/robert-durst
new info to me- such as Black had a sister who wished to sue Durst in a wrongful death claim.
Also on Dear Prudence – according to this article
http://nypost.com/2015/03/28/woman-who-inspired-the-beatles-dear-prudence-once-dated-robert-durst/
Two months before she went missing, Kathie Durst received a call from her:
“Prudence wanted Kathie to give Bob up,” Eleanor Schwank, a college friend of Kathie’s, told The Post in June 1982. She wanted him all to herself, friends said
end
A&P
http://crimefeed.com/2015/03/dont-know-relationship-robert-durst-morris-black-private-investigator-shares-theories/
*****
I think you all we find this link interesting if you have not already seen it. This is the investigator in Birkbeck’s book. FYI it is Birkbeck not Birbeck.
Thank you Ode. I have to make better use of the “readers” lol
B
Be sure to read the comments at the end of the article. Someone who claimed to know Morris around 1995 or 1996.
Mom3.0 says:
April 22, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Nypost has alot of articles on Durst g I read back and was able to locate alot that supports D.H.s earlier post for instance Durst wanting to beat Lankford
from Moms link,
http://nypost.com/2003/09/26/the-durst-tapes-bitter-robert-planned-to-knock-off-his-brother
Referring to a Post article speculating that Durst knew Morris Black long before killing him:
Bob: “It’s an interesting article.”
Debrah: “We shouldn’t talk about this.”
*****
Now that is interesting.
Ode writes
http://crimefeed.com/2015/03/dont-know-relationship-robert-durst-morris-black-private-investigator-shares-theories/
*****
Be sure to read the comments at the end of the article. Someone who claimed to know Morris around 1995 or 1996.
—–
question:
( warning- this is kind of a fugue of out of the box thinking)
It”s clear that Durst went to great lengths to hide the bodies of his victims. Why then was Susan Berman nit ” disappeared” like kathie and like Morris Black Durst didnt anticipate tides that would land the garbage bags within view, his intention was to hide body)
In the article you linked, the PI giving the interview sates that she believes Durst and Black worked in tandem, trolling homeless shelters for their victims. If true, what was Morris Black’s role in this partnership”
( okay , here’s the fugue)
WHAT IF Morris Black was supposed to dispose of Bermans body. WHAT IF Durst plan was to murder Berman, and take off immediately back to San Francisco to get on the plane to NYC… and knowing that Black would be the one to get the body disposed of, sent the cadaver letter to either catch Black in the act or at least direct them to the crime scene where the last person there would have been Morris Black, an itinerant mentally unstable guy with “no connection” to Berman- neatly getting rid of Berman and Black (who were the bearers of info about the then newly re-opened Kathie Durst case). This whole theory could be wiped out with proof of where Black was on Dec 22, 23, but I couldn’t resist imaging such a scenario.
having said all the above, I would love to trace a line of connection between Black and Berman, if there was one.
Mom 3.0
GREAT links!
Here is a link to an article written by a journalist recalling his first assignment as a student- interviewing his professor.The professor charged the students with interviewing her as someone whose best friend had been murdered. And that best friend was Susan Berman.
Unfortuantely, this article doesn’t reveal what the professor said, it is about the nature of journalism and feeding frenzy that occurs, and in the context of a criticism of the Jinx
HOWEVER, most interesting to me is that there is a journalist in Montreal who interviewed a woman who claimed to be an extremely close friend of Susan Berman. Would love to see his notes from 2002 when the interview took place.
http://www.therivetermagazine.com/the-victim-behind-hbos-the-jinx/
I don’t recall a Dr. Elizabeth Purinton-Johnson coming up in any Berman circles but I am prolly not as versed in those as I should be. Yes, very interested in why anyone covering mining and metals or economics would be interested in interviewing such a humanistic topic.
B
Who
While we have little to no information about Mr. Black information that LE may have gathered, I agree that your idea of doing a complete investigation of his life and connections that may tie him to Durst.
The letter to LE in L.A. may have been a deliberate attempt by Durst to get rid of Black. The altercation between Durst and Black in Galveston may have been caused by Black nearly getting caught in the Berman residence.
O/T
It has been a while since our young inventor and helper was to present his production to the class. As always, I am glad to see youth tackle new things and be successful. Maybe we will get an update soon.
Fwiw, I just finished Birkbeck’s book. There was really nothing new in it that we did not already know, except to say that in 2010 Doug Durst claims that his PI’s followed Bobby to Ship Bottom and to the Pines ( with no real detail). I presume this may have had something to do with the release of he film, “All Good Things” the same year. I agree with Ode- I wonder just how well that area was searched professionally. Then again, I don’t trust Durst to know he was being followed and could have been standing in the middle of the barons with a sandwich board that read ” Hegemony Lives You Aholes”.
I will say I got the firm impression Birkbeck is NOT a fan of Najamy. His portrayal of her is colorful and unflattering to put it mildly. If what was said was true- I do think she suffers from a great deal of guilt over her friends death- and again, if Birkbeck is truthful- Gilberte’s interview content I have seen would be false. ie: she claimed she knew nothing of Kathie suffering escalated physical abuse because she said she did not take it seriously when Kathie told her if something happens to her to look to Bobby and it will not be an accident.
O/T: I will share when I can
B
I personally would doubt that Durst would have wanted Morris to be caught or convicted of Susan’s murder. That could come back and connect Durst to Morris. Why take the chance?
Thinking about “Dear Prudence”, she was Mia’s sister. Mia was at an earlier time married to Frank Sinatra. If you believe Mr. Sinatra had ties to the Mafia it would follow that Mia may have known a few and perhaps her sister as well. Just saying that there could be many ways Robert had Mafia connections.
Agreed
B
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/story/prosecutor-turned-commentator-has-long-history-with-durst/ar-AAam8BH
****
just a short article on Pirro’s current reaction to Durst’s recent legal troubles. Posting only because of discussion of Birkbeck’s book and his representation of her. No judgments meant.
I am going to stop just shy of saying that Ms. Pirro has played fast and loose with the Durst case over the years and I truly believe the intent was to prosecute him to gain the favor of his very influential family. I don’t blame her per se- as I believe Durst is a dangerous man- and maybe he is evil- not for me to say. That said- as a fellow criminal justice professional, she is far afield of her commitments in her former duties to hold and share such opinions. We live in a due process country and she lived in a glass house.
O/T: She is an incredibly smart and engaging figure. While researching her the other day I was stunned to learn her age.
B