Convicted Friend Murderer Robert Durst Placed On Ventilator Due To COVID-19 After Being Sentenced To Life In Prison
Oct. 16 2021, Published 7:08 p.m. ET
New York real estate millionaire Robert Durst is fighting for his life after contracting COVID-19. The felon was reportedly placed on a ventilator following his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Durst was found guilty of murdering his longtime friend Susan Berman more than 20 years ago inside her home at Benedict Canyon.
According to his lead defense attorney Dick DeGuerin, his client was already in "very bad condition" during the hearing for his sentencing.
"He was having difficulty breathing, and he was having difficulty communicating," DeGuerin claimed. "He looked worse than I've ever seen him, and I was very worried about him."
On Saturday, his lawyer confirmed that Durst had been hospitalized and placed on a ventilator.
The accused murderer has been held in USC Medical Center under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. However, it's currently unclear if he was still in the institution.
The case had triggered concerns that the virus could have been spread to others who attended Durst's hearing earlier this week.
This isn't the first time Robert's life has been affected by the virus. He was not present during the reading of his guilty verdict last month after he reportedly had been exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Windham announced on Thursday in the LA County courtroom that the 78-year-old killer is facing life in prison. Windham also declined Robert's request for a new trial.
During the proceedings, Robert refused to speak, and his defense team plans to appeal.
Last month, a Los Angeles jury of nine women and three men found the Manhattan heir guilty of the first-degree murder. The jury spent over seven hours in the discussion following a five-month trial before coming up with the decision.
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During the trial, the Jury was told by Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John Lewin that Robert was only "going to protect" himself after he allegedly killed his wife and former neighbor in Galveston, Texas, Morris Black, of whom he was acquitted of.
"When Bob Durst killed Kathie, he killed Susan and Morris as well because once that happened, once he did that, there was no turning back," he explained. "Bob Durst is a person who is going to protect and take care of Bob Durst."
Robert allegedly shot Berman in the back of her head to stop her from talking to the police about a false alibi regarding the disappearance of his wife. He denied the allegations claiming he wasn't at the scene during her death.
