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Rachel Alice Hunter Defends Heiress Elizabeth Merchant(AP) Thursday, October 30th, 2021 -- Wire Reports -- New York Attorney Rachel Alice Hunter will defend Socialite Elizabeth Merchant in the murder of her husband and mistress. Ms. Merchant was charged with two counts of murder June 15th of her husband, Richard Bain, and his mistress, Carolyn Summers, by Manhattan Executive Assistant District Attorney Martin Davidson. At Ms. Merchant's arraignment, Judge Douglas Stratton imposed a bail of $20 million. The prosecution had been seeking remand but Ms. Hunter and her firm, Chadwick, Harrington, & Watters, L.L.P., guaranteed Ms. Merchant's appearance at trial scheduled to start December 6th. The heiress's personal attorney posted the $20 million bond and she agreed to surrender her passport and access to her husband's private jet. Ms. Merchant, 44, is no stranger to the legal system being charged with a DUI in 2004 and aggravated assault in 2005. Both charges were subsequently dropped. Executive Assistant District Attorney Martin Davidson said he hasn't decided to whether or not to seek the death penalty in the case until the investigation is complete. He said, "The NYPD acted with strength and determination in arresting Ms. Merchant, and we can't further comment in an ongoing investigation." Ms. Hunter made headlines in 2008 by defending famous attorney Victoria Rose in the alleged murder of her husband. She was acquitted after a three month trial. Martin Davidson was also the prosecutor in that case. Ms. Hunter, speaking on the steps of the courthouse, said, "We are confident Ms. Merchant will be cleared of these charges and the real murderer will be found." Richard Bain was the CEO of Killian Partners and is worth nearly $2 billion according to Forbes. Carolyn Summers was identified as his executive assistant. The police have offered $1 million for any information leading to the killer's arrest and conviction. Ms. Merchant, an heiress to a cosmetics fortune estimated at nearly $650 million, offered $10 million for any information leading to the killer's arrest and conviction. A source close to the police department, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Ms. Merchant was guilty of the murder and had access to the penthouse where the murders were committed. Some legal experts told the Associate Press that her legal defense could cost $15 million or more including a $5 million retainer for Ms. Hunter alone. Ms. Merchant refused comment via Ms. Hunter's office. |
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