Judge sentences Robert Durst to life in prison for murder of Susan Berman

The convicted killer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole by a judge in Los Angeles for the execution-style shooting of his longtime best friend, Susan Berman.

News 12 Staff

Oct 14, 2021, 10:11 PM

Updated 1,086 days ago

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New York real estate heir Robert Durst was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without parole for the murder of his best friend more than two decades ago.
As Durst was sentenced for shooting Susan Berman point blank in the back of the head, the disappearance of his wife, Kathie Durst, from Westchester nearly 40 years ago hung over the Los Angeles Court.
Several parties called on Durst to have a 'moment of decency' and tell Kathie's family what happened to her the night she went missing from South Salem in 1982.
Durst declined to say anything during his sentencing.
During the trial, prosecutors said Durst killed Berman in December 2000 because she was prepared to tell police she provided Robert with a fake alibi the night Kathie went missing.
Durst's conviction last month relied on evidence he killed Kathie, and Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah reopened the case into her disappearance.
As News 12 has reported, subpoenas are going out to potential witnesses, and a grand jury is likely coming together right now.
With Robert Durst's health in decline, it may be the last chance for the McCormack family to get closure.
"I hope in your final days and hours you will come to the same understanding and give the McCormack's what little they are asking for -- to find Kathie. To lay her to rest appropriately, finally, and at long last," said Sareb Kaufman, Susan Berman's son.
Durst's attorneys pushed for a new trial saying there was insufficient evidence, but the judge rejected their claims.
The defense said it plans to appeal.