Beresford-Redman Cell Phone Extradition Defense

Sources tell TMZ Bruce Beresford-Redman’s cell phone — the one Mexican authorities confiscated and then abused — will become part of his extradition defense.

TMZ broke the story … Mexican cops seized Beresford-Redman’s cell phone after his murdered wife’s body was found, and ran up an AT&T bill totaling more than $3,800.

Now we’ve learned the bill was for a one-month period.  We’re told roaming calls were made to El Salvador and elsewhere.  Numerous calls were made to various locations in Mexico.

Sources tell us BBR’s lawyer will raise the cell phone abuse issue if Bruce has an extradition hearing.  Here’s the defense argument:  The Mexican police are covering for a crime waive committed at the hotel where Monica Burgos Beresford-Redman was murdered. There were two other suspicious deaths at the hotel and an attempted rape, allegedly by an employee at the Cancun hotel.

The defense has suggested, with tourism plummeting in Mexico, authorities needed a fall guy to prevent further erosion in tourism, and they picked BBR.

If Mexican cops misused evidence in the case — i.e. BBR’s cell phone — it further compromises their integrity.

Source: TMZ

Murder Charge Sought For Beresford-Redman

Prosecutors in the Bruce Beresford-Redman case want the former “Survivor” producer charged with first degree murder … Bruce’s Mexican lawyer tells TMZ.

Attorney Jaime Cancino Leon tells us prosecutors will make their move by end of day Monday.

According to Mexican law, the Attorney General will submit his recommendation to a judge, who will then review the evidence.  If the judge determines there is probable cause, Beresford-Redman will be formally charged with the murder of his wife, Monica Burgos Beresford-Redman, and the judge will issue an arrest warrant.

We’re told it will take the judge several weeks — minimum — to determine if probable cause exists.

Cancino is critical of Mexican officials, saying it’s easier to just charge the former “Survivor” producer than to properly investigate the case.

Cancino adds, “Bruce has never had the chance to defend himself.  They didn’t even give him the chance to participate in the investigation.”

If Beresford-Redman is extradited and then convicted of first degree murder, he would face 4 to 20 years in prison.  There is no death penalty or life sentence in Mexico.

Read more at TMZ

Strange Life Insurance Request in ‘Survivor’ Murder

A nanny who worked for the former ‘Survivor‘ producer and his murdered wife claims there was ominous talk about a life insurance policy just before they took the fateful trip to Mexico.

In a declaration filed with the court, Maria Oaxaca claims just before the trip, Monica Burgos Beresford-Redman told her that her husband Bruce asked her to take out a life insurance policy.

The declaration makes it clear … the policy was for life insurance in the event of Monica’s death and the apparent beneficiaries were the couple’s two children.

According to the declaration, “She [Monica] thought it was strange since they had never taken out insurance policies before any of their other trips and said that it made her feel like her life was a soap opera.”

The nanny’s declaration was submitted in support of a motion by Monica’s two sisters to become guardians of the children.  The two sisters are opposing the move by Bruce’s parents to become permanent guardians.

Source: TMZ

Will Filed in ‘Survivor’ Wife’s Murder

TMZ has obtained the will left by Monica Burgos Beresford-Redman … and she left all her property to her husband, former “Survivor” producer Bruce Beresford-Redman — the man who has been called “a person of interest” in her murder.

Under the will — drafted in 2004 — Monica leaves her jewelry, clothing, furniture, cars, books, real property and everything else to Bruce.

The will names Bruce as the executor, but if he is unable to serve, Monica’s sister, Jeane Burgos-Carrno, is the alternate executor.

The will states if a guardian of her child becomes necessary (at the time they only had one child — they now have 2), Monica’s other sister — Carla Ferreira-Burgos — will become the guardian.

However California Probate Code (sec. 250) says, “A person who feloniously and intentionally kills the decedent is not entitled to … any property, interest, or benefit under a will of the decedent.” The code also forbids, “any nomination of the killer as executor, trustee, guardian, or conservator.”

Remember, Bruce has not been arrested or charged in Monica’s killing.

A court has made Bruce’s parents the temporary guardians of the 2 kids.  They are asking for permanent guardianship.

Source: TMZ