Robert Durst’s trespassing trial kicks off

Prosectors said 71-year-old real estate heir had no right being at brother Douglas's home

From left: Robert Durst and Douglas Durst
From left: Robert Durst and Douglas Durst

The trespassing trial for Robert Durst, the estranged brother of the Durst Organization’s chair Douglas Durst, began today in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Prosecutors said Robert Durst violated a restraining order when he allegedly visited the homes of his brother and another family member last year. They said he had no right being there. The restraining order in 2012 bars Robert from contacting or coming near Douglas.

Steven Rabinowitz, defense attorney for Robert Durst, said his client did not do anything wrong by standing on the building stairs, the New York Post reported. The 71-year-old real estate heir has 13 orders of protection against him by his family.

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“Those stairs were open to the public and Mr. Durst was licensed to be there,” Rabinowitz said at the non-jury trial, as cited by the newspaper.

Robert Durst most recently made headlines when HBO announced it was airing a six-part documentary about him in February, as previously reported. [NYP]Mark Maurer