NY jury begins deliberating fate of socialite Astor’s son, charged with looting estate
By APTuesday, September 22, 2009
NY jury deliberating in Brooke Astor trial
NEW YORK — A New York jury has begun deliberating the case against the son of socialite Brooke Astor.
Anthony Marshall is accused of looting his mother’s fortune in the years leading up to her death. Her estate has been estimated at roughly $198 million.
Astor died in 2007 at age 105. Prosecutors say she wasn’t competent to sign documents that increased Marshall’s share of her estate.
The defense says Astor was lucid when she signed documents handing over more money to her son.
Marshall could get a lengthy prison term if convicted of grand larceny. Attorney Francis Morrissey is also charged with forgery in the case.
The trial has taken almost six months.
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