Links to all of CRIME STORY’S coverage of the Robert Durst trial are here.
Below is the transcript of a special Breaking News bonus episode of the podcast Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst.
NARRATION
This is a special breaking news episode of Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst. I am your host, Kary Antholis.
When we started this podcast, we told you that we were going to be doing something groundbreaking. We said that instead of telling you the narrative behind a major trial after it’s finished we’re going to present the stories surrounding Durst’s trial for the murder of Susan Berman as it is happening.
Well, it turns out that we are going to be doing something even more groundbreaking. We’re going to present the stories surrounding that trial as it is happening OVER TWO SEASONS.
But first, here’s the breaking news.
On Friday July 31st a hearing was called to determine the future of Robert Durst’s trial. Proceedings were halted in mid March when the coronavirus forced officials to close Los Angeles County courthouses. Due to the relentless spread of the pandemic in California, the trial faced numerous subsequent delays, placing the jurors’ lives on hold while they waited for the trial to resume. With California’s reported COVID cases still climbing Judge Mark E. Windham has determined that another indefinite delay is untenable. A different course of action is required.
JUDGE WINDHAM
The people have proposed a new date of April 12th and then moving papers, both sides agreed. Mr. Durst agreed in writing. I would say that both sides have made a good cause argument for the adjournment. So I’ve treated it as a joint motion to adjourn until April 12th. But I would set up an earlier date here in department 81, one month ahead of that, just to be sure that we’re on track and to, and to assess the health conditions at the time.
NARRATION:
The trial of Robert Durst has been adjourned until April 12th 2021. At that time the same jury will return to finish a trial that they started more than a year before.
So what does that mean for this podcast?
First, the lawyers in this case gave us a great gift. In their opening statements they gave us compelling summaries of their competing stories about this case, complete with audio evidence.
We still have seven episodes to share with you laying out those rival narratives. Episode 4 premieres Tuesday August 5 just after midnight eastern time. In a moment we will present some of the highlights from those upcoming episodes.
Over the coming months, we will be sharing breaking news on any events that occur before next spring, so be sure to subscribe to Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst to receive the latest updates on the case on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts in the case of The People vs. Robert Durst.
And then, in the spring of 2021, we will return with a second season of Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst. Again, one of the longest murder trials in American history will be presented over two podcast seasons.
For now, here’s a taste of what’s ahead on the rest of Season 1 of Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst:
ROBERT DURST
I’m sure I got more stoned and more drunk and I dismembered the corpse. Took the body parts, and put everything else there that was bloody, whatever it was that I ended up cleaning up the place with, put them in the garbage bags.
……
Andrew Jarecki:
BUT WAS YOUR INTENTION WHEN YOU PUT UP THE $250,000 TO RUN AWAY?
ROBERT DURST
GOODBYE $250,000, GOODBYE JAIL, I’M OUT!
…..
JOHN LEWIN:
Mr. Durst is going to be asked, in essence, what was the plan for how he was wanting to deal with the charges in Galveston? This was his response.
ROBERT DURST
I did not kill him by dismembering him. I dismembered him after he was dead.
Can you unstrike a match? No. Can you unring a bell? No. If somebody’s dead, is there anything you can do to prevent them from dying? No.
DICK DEGUERIN:
So I want to start by saying to you what you’ve probably heard me saying before, Bob Durst did not kill Susan Berman and he doesn’t know who did.
When Bob showed up and found her dead, he panicked. He wrote the anonymous letter so her body would be found and he ran. He’s run away all his life.11:02
DICK DEGUERIN:
First, Bob fully accepted responsibility for dismembering Kathy Durst’s… uh… Morris Black’s body.
DAVID CHESNOFF:
NO EVIDENCE IS EVIDENCE. IF IT’S NOT THERE, YOU CAN CONSIDER IT. 39:00
JOHN LEWIN:
So, when I asked you, “Hey, listen. Has Bob ever admitted that he killed Kathie?” You had a long pause and then you said, “That’s something I don’t want to answer.” I know you said you don’t want to answer, but you agree you didn’t say “no”. Correct?
NICK CHAVIN:
I agree to that.
JOHN LEWIN:
Now, when you listen to what’s called the bathroom audio, before the door can even close, the first thing Bob Durst says is, “There it is, you’re caught.” Then the door closes and you hear all the other things.
ROBERT DURST
Killed them all, of course.
NARRATION:
The words of Robert Durst that the HBO series The Jinx made famous: “Killed them all, of course.”
So in order to receive the latest episodes of Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst as well as updates on the case and notification of when Season 2 will begin, please make sure that you have subscribed to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst is produced by Crime Story Media and Acast. I’m Kary Antholis, your host. If you enjoy the podcast please rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts and share us with your friends. To make sure you catch all of Crime Story’s journalistic endeavors follow us on twitter and instagram @CrimeStoryMedia, and check out our website at CrimeStory.com.
Thank you for joining us and we hope you’ll tune in for the next episode of Jury Duty: The Trial of Robert Durst.
