LOS ANGELES - Prosecutors strive to keep the remaining witnesses of Durst murder trial alive from the defendant, Robert Durst.
The eccentric killer has killed two witnesses who had information pertaining the disappearance of his first wife, Kathie Durst and is prepared to kill certain others that might get in his way.
Durst, a 73 year old real estate heir, is serving seven years in the prison for weapons conviction and pleaded not guilty of murdering his best friend, Susan Berman in 2000. The prosecutors said that Durst killed Berman weeks prior to her discussion with the investigators because she had information regarding Kathie Durst's 1982 disappearance in New York.
The prosecutors also claim that he killed his neighbour, Morris Black in 2001 because he knew the identity of Durst, who had disguised himself in Texas as a mute woman after murdering Berman.
Deputy District Attorney, John Lewin wrote in the court papers before a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, "He has demonstrated a willingness to use deadly force to escape justice - killing two people and arming himself with deadly weapons to kill anyone who stood in his way of escape."
However, Durst's defense lawyers claim the statement to be highly ridiculous saying that the 73-year-old in a wheelchair is too frail to be able to harm anyone.
Prosecutors are requesting for the court's permission to preserve the identities of the remaining two "secret witnesses" in the Durst murder trial until shortly before their testimonies. Lewin mentioned that their names should not be disclosed and kept secret for now, citing possibilities of Durst intimidating or killing them.
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