The Latest: Prosecutor talks about heir's proposed sentence
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Latest on the plea agreement of a New York heir wanted in California for the death of a friend (all times local):
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11:40 a.m.
A federal prosecutor says the proposed sentence for New York real estate heir Robert Durst was worked out in "very intense negotiations." Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McMahon calls the plea agreement "a good result."
Durst pleaded guilty Wednesday to a weapons charge and agreed to seven years and a month in prison.
However, Chief District Judge Kurt Englehardt says he won't put that plea into the record until he gets a pre-sentence report and decides whether to accept the agreement.
Defense attorney Richard DeGuerin says Durst just wants to get to California to prove he didn't kill Susan Berman. He's been charged with murder in her death.
McMahon says the murder case is "certainly not a slam-dunk" and will be fiercely fought, but he thinks Durst will be convicted.
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10:20 a.m.
A fugitive New York real estate heir has pleaded guilty in Louisiana to a weapons charge and has agreed to a sentence of seven years and one month imprisonment.
The maximum penalty that Robert Durst could have faced was 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt said Wednesday that he would "provisionally" accept the plea and would make a final decision after he receives a pre-sentencing report.
The acceptance of the deal is another step toward Durst's extradition to California, where he is wanted in the death of a friend in 2000. Durst has waived extradition but won't immediately be sent to California until at least the sentencing.
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A fugitive New York real estate heir held in Louisiana on a weapons charge is scheduled for a plea agreement that will let him return to California to face a murder charge.
U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt has scheduled Robert Durst's re-arraignment for Wednesday on a charge of illegally carrying a .38-caliber revolver after a felony conviction.
The charge has kept him in Louisiana even though he waived extradition to California to face a charge that he killed a friend and onetime spokeswoman in 2000.
Prosecutors apparently want him to forfeit only the gun, not other items found in his possession, including $117,000 in $100 bills.
Defense attorney Richard DeGuerin says he won't discuss details until the agreement is in place. But he says Durst wants to get to California so he can prove he didn't kill Susan Berman.