Robert Durst Murder Trial Is Halted Over Coronavirus Concerns

(Bloomberg) -- The murder trial of New York real-estate heir Robert Durst was halted until April 6 because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

California Superior Court Judge Mark Windham suspended the trial, according to a statement from the court Sunday. As late as Friday the judge planned for the trial to proceed with the jurors spread out in the courtroom, with an empty seat between them, and just a small number of seats left for attorneys and observers.

California, with more than 400 reported cases of infection, is tightening restrictions on large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. Governor Gavin Newsom said on Sunday that all bars and night clubs in the state should close and restaurants should focus on takeouts.

Durst, 76, is on trial for the murder of his longtime friend and confidante Susan Berman in her Beverly Hills home in 2000. The reclusive millionaire had conceded through his lawyers that he walked into the house, found her dead and “panicked.” He sent a note to Beverly Hills police that there was a “cadaver” at Berman’s address and ran because he feared he would be a suspect, according to his attorneys.

The jury trial in Los Angeles started March 4 and is expected to take as long as five months. Durst has denied he killed Berman and says he doesn’t know who did, his lawyers told the jury.

To contact the reporter on this story: Edvard Pettersson in Los Angeles at epettersson@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: David Glovin at dglovin@bloomberg.net, Joe Schneider, Peter Blumberg

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.