Robert Durst's Lawyer Challenges 'Invalid' Arrest
— -- Robert Durst's legal team accused authorities in documents today of arresting the real estate heir illegally, as his attorney blasted Louisiana officials for wanting a piece of the "publicity pie."
"I think he's an easy target and everybody's piling on. ... They're gonna find nothing," Dick DeGuerin, the lead attorney on Durst's team, told ABC News affiliate KTRK-TV on Thursday. "I think Louisiana and their elected officials want a piece of the publicity pie."
Durst is on suicide watch at a Louisiana detention center though DeGuerin said his client is not suicidal.
"He's frail. ... He has neuropathy of his right calf and needs to be in the hospital," said DeGuerin, who said Durst had also undergone brain surgery, neck surgery and cancer surgery.
In court papers filed today, Durst's lawyers requested a preliminary hearing to prove that Durst was illegally arrested March 14 on murder charges as well as drug and weapons charges.
At the time of his arrest, Durst was allegedly in possession of a .38 special revolver with four live rounds as well as marijuana, money, a fake ID and a real passport, police said.
A judge granted the hearing, which is expected to occur during Durst's next court appearance slated for Monday.
According to a search warrant, authorities also found two books chronicling the mysterious deaths that Durst has been linked to and that were the focus of a six-part HBO series called "The Jinx."
In their filing, DeGuerin and his team called the March 14 arrest warrant "invalid" and said it was filed "to coincide with the final episode of the HBO documdrama." They have also requested his release.
Durst was arrested on a murder charge in New Orleans on March 14 in the death of best friend Susan Berman in Los Angeles in 2000. He is also suspected in the 1982 disappearance of his wife, Kathie. He was acquitted in the murder of his neighbor Morris Black in 2001. He admitted to dismembering Black, but he was found not guilty by a jury.
Los Angeles prosecutors are itching to get access to him and DeGuerin said Durst had agreed to be extradited to face the charges regarding Berman's slaying. His attorneys maintain he is innocent.
But the millionaire currently faces gun charges and drug charges in Louisiana. It is unknown when Durst will be extradited.
