An update in the criminal trial regarding litigation concering Anthony Marshall the show of Brooke Astor and her attorney Frances Morrisey revealed additional witness testimony about Astor's lack of capacity in Colin Moynihan's New York Times article Ex Secretary says Astor was unsure.
Marshall and Astor's attorney are in the criminal trial for having taken advantage of her alzheimers and dementia to financially profit through the combination of using her lack of testamentary capacity and unduly influencing her to benefit themselves.
An ex secretary Naomi Dunn Packard-Koot who worked for Mrs. Astor from March of 2002 to March 2003 testified that Astor was confused about identities of friends and family and as an example cited her 100th birthday party and frequently confusing her son Anthony Marshall for her late husband Vincent Astor and referring to her son as her husband.
She also testified regarding Mr Marshall photographing art and valuables in the home while his mom was still living there then telling her that he had sold her favorite painting because she needed the money despite the fact she was worth over $60 million. He further told her that she needed to stop buying dresses since she had no money.
Two other issues that were mentioned during the litigation the witness said in court that Mr Marshall told the ex secretary that it was not a good idea to have his son Philip Marshall visit his grandmother. Interesting now given that Philip had brought guardianship / elder abuse litigation prior to her passing regarding how poorly his father was treating his grandmother.
Lastly they mentioned how Brooke Astor enjoyed visiting with her grandson Philip but that Anthony Marshall insisted on having her meet with the attorney multiple times and he would take her there although she said "I do not like that man".
His making the arrangements with the attorney and dragging her there against her wishes and while she was lacking mental capacity. A lot of this testimony from the criminal trial regarding them taking advantage of her dementia is likely to be used in subsequent civil trials regarding trust and estate litigation. This will likely continue to be a highly contested and disputed matter both in crimal court and in subsequent litigation in probate court regarding who the property in the trusts who should pass.
