Durst ‘mail’ady
I’m sick & like opera, he says in letter to paper
ROBERT DURST has gone postal.
The real estate scion apparently sent a recent handwritten letter from his correctional facility in Louisiana to The Los Angeles Times that discusses his battle with a neurological condition and his love of opera.
In the rambling letter postmarked April 1 and received Wednesday, Durst reportedly said he decided to leave Los Angeles for Texas several years ago due to medical issues.
“As my minor balance (problem) expanded into full blow Hydrocephalus, requiring a shunt, I knew that if I was going to let some guy drill into my head, there was no place I would be willing to go ahead other than the Houston Medical Center,” the letter published on The Times’ website reads.
Hydrocephalus is a condition where fluid accumulates in the brain, and can cause pressure and symptoms such balance problems, headaches and double vision.
Durst, 71, now being held on weapons charges in Louisiana before his extradition to Los Angeles for a murder charge, also breezily discussed his hobbies.
“My interests are opera and pro football,” he wrote in blue ink.
He criticized Los Angeles for its traffic and lack of a professional football team — and also took aim at the arts scene.
“Liked L.A. Opera except for Wagners ring cycle with the absurd costumes and sloped stage,” he wrote. “A true example of Hollywood gone berserk.”
Durst’s lead lawyer in his pending criminal cases told The Times that the letter appeared authentic.
“Bob is his own person and he’s writing letters to people. As long as they’re not discussing the facts or legal plans or strategy, I don’t have any problem with it,” lawyer Dick DeGuerin told The Times after seeing Durst in court Thursday and later reviewing the letter. Durst, meanwhile, appeared frail and confused during the court appearance in New Orleans on Thursday. The star of HBO’s “The Jinx” was shackled and wearing a yellow jumpsuit when he shuffled into court.
He had to be prompted multiple times to enter a notguilty plea in the felony weapons case stemming from the .38-caliber revolver and marijuana found in his room following his March 14 arrest.
Durst said he “didn’t hear” Judge Franz Zibilich ask for his plea. One of his three lawyers had to lean forward and whisper in his ear, The Associated Press reported.
“Oh, I am not guilty, your honor,” Durst said.
“On both counts?” the judge asked. “Yes,” Durst replied. The disgraced Durst — who’s estranged from his powerful New York family — was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on a state gun charge and possession of marijuana with a firearm.
The New Orleans charges may delay his extradition to Los Angeles, where he is accused of shooting pal Susan Berman execution-style in her Los Angeles home on Dec. 23, 2000.