Reality television-show producer Bruce Beresford-Redman faces murder charges in the death of his wife. He is involved in another case involving his wife's will. Beresford-Redman was supposed to be in court Wednesday. However, the case hit a snag.
Accused of murdering his wife, Monica, while on a family vacation to Mexico, Beresford-Redman has been ordered to return to Cancun for trial.
But not before he testifies in another case, a dispute over two wills signed by Monica. Which one is valid?
It makes a difference to family members on both sides.
In a 2004 version, the couple's two children and the estate go to Monica's sisters, Carla and Jeane Burgos.
In a 2008 version, Bruce's parents Juanita and David Beresford-Redman are named as executors and guardians.
In court Bruce's parents' attorney told the judge that it will take Bruce's testimony to decide which document is correct.
But how to get an inmate in federal detention into a civil courthouse not equipped for criminal defendants? According to the judge, U.S. Marshals who are in charge of federal detainees denied a plan to bring Beresford-Redman to Los Angeles County Superior Court Stanley Mosk Courthouse Wednesday. They had questions about security and liability.
Now there's a new proposal for the court to convene instead at the federal detention center where Beresford-Redman is awaiting extradition to Mexico.
Meantime, his mother, Juanita, testified about why Monica had wanted to update the will -- that Monica did not trust her sisters with the children or with money.
Yet Monica's sisters contend that the 2008 will was not duly executed. Did two people witness Monica sign it?
The parents say yes: One was the nanny, Maria Beatriz Oaxaca, who according to court documents may not be cooperative.
The other they believe was a cook at Monica's restaurant. But when attorneys went there looking for that person, they were thwarted by hostility, according to court records. It's uncertain whether they can find that missing link.
The trial resumes Thursday and is expected to last for days.
