NY prosecutor is summing up case vs. Astor's son

[September 18, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A Manhattan prosecutor says the government has proven that Brooke Astor's son plundered her $198 million estate in the sunset years of her life. A jury will soon decide if it agrees.

Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann was scheduled to resume closing arguments Friday at the trial of Anthony Marshall and a co-defendant.

Astor's last will, created in 2002, left millions of dollars to her favorite charities. But later amendments greatly increased Marshall's share.

The prosecution contends that Astor, who died in 2007 at age 105, was not mentally competent to sign legal documents.

Defense lawyers said in their closing arguments that although she was suffering from Alzheimer's, Astor had lucid moments.

[Associated Press]

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