Dazed Astor Didn't Recognize Jesse Jackson: Witness

Motion detector in apartment sent images of break-in to his smartphone

(NEWSER) - A burglar made a huge mistake yesterday when he decided to break into the Manhattan apartment of a computer geek who had set up a motion-detecting camera that transmitted photos directly to his smartphone, reports the New York Post . Levent Cetiner was six blocks from his home when he received an email showing a thief looting his stuff. More»

Offspring swindled socialite, jury finds after lengthy trial

(NEWSER) - After a sensational 19-week trial, Brooke Astor's son was found guilty today on 16 of the 18 counts against him, including grand larceny and conspiracy. The 85-year-old will be sentenced on Dec. 8 and faces up to 25 years. The jury deliberated for 12 days before finding that the legendary socialite and philanthropist's only child had defrauded her of a hefty chunk of her $185 million fortune. Astor, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died in 2007 at 105. More»

Jury showing signs of strain after 19 Weeks

(NEWSER) - After a 5-month trial, the jury deciding the fate of Brooke Astor’s son may be at the breaking point. One juror wants out because she fears for her personal safety, the judge revealed today, a day after he felt compelled to deliver a pep talk in court urging jurors to "hang in there a bit longer." If Justice A. Kirke Bartley has to dismiss the juror, it would mean a mistrial. The jury is in its 10th day of deliberations. More»

(NEWSER) - Meryl Gordon has a plum seat at the so-called Brooke Astor trial, in which her son, Anthony Marshall, stands accused of thievery. Complete with the crème de la crème of New York society recounting terrible things and scathing Astorisms, Gordon writes in Vanity Fair, it’s a “story about money that everyone could understand, that did not involve credit-default swaps or derivatives: a son accused of stealing from his mother.” And the press is all over it. More»

Charlene Marshall berated 101-year-old in hospital: witness

(NEWSER) - Brooke Astor’s daughter-in-law berated the 101-year-old socialite for breaking her hip in 2003, the New York Post reports. “We had to cancel our trip to London all because of you!” Charlene Marshall groused to the hospitalized Astor, according to testimony from housekeeper Angela Moore. Anthony Marshall is accused of changing his mother’s will to steal millions earmarked for charity. More»