Ted Maher, a former US soldier who had also worked at a Las Vegas casino, is accused of causing death by arson. The 44-year-old originally said two masked intruders had broken in, stabbed him and set fire to the apartment.
Maher dropped the story and admitted starting the fire himself in an attempt to win praise for rescuing his 67-year-old employer.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3005802&thesection=news&thesubsection=world
23.11.2002
MONACO - A male nurse is on trial accused of starting a fire that killed billionaire Edmond Safra at his Monaco mansion in a case which has given a glimpse into the lifestyles and fears of the ultra-rich.
Lebanese-born Safra, a private banker who suffered from Parkinson's disease and had 24-hour nursing care, suffocated in his bathroom along with a woman nurse as fumes from the blaze engulfed his 20-room penthouse.
Safra, who had a fear of home invasions, refused to be coaxed out of the bathroom.
Ted Maher, a former US soldier who had also worked at a Las Vegas casino, is accused of causing death by arson. The 44-year-old originally said two masked intruders had broken in, stabbed him and set fire to the apartment.
Maher dropped the story and admitted starting the fire himself in an attempt to win praise for rescuing his 67-year-old employer.
His lawyer has said Maher staged a break-in then set fire to a wastebin beneath a smoke detector to trigger off security alarms so he could appear to rescue Safra, one of the world's richest men.
The trial, which opened on Thursday at the tiny principality's criminal court, will throw some light on one of France's most mysterious and high-profile arson attacks.
Monaco, a tiny tax haven for the rich and famous, is also notorious for its shadier side. Despite being heavily policed, it is seen as riddled with mafia-style crime and money laundering.
Scores of police officers guarded the court where 15 lawyers, 53 witnesses, dozens of experts and translators are due to take part in a trial expected to run until early next month.
Maher, who was hired by Safra in August 1999, told the court he considered it his best job after stints in the Army and in a police academy, as well as time spent as a casino security officer in Las Vegas.
The court heard Maher was paid $US600 ($1221) a day, tax-free, with food and lodging for duties which included taking Safra, who was prone to losing his balance, to the bathroom.
"I liked Mr Safra enormously," Maher said. "He was kind and generous, and I did my best to help him and make his day-to-day life easier. I respected him and he respected me."
Maher said he had led an itinerant life after an unhappy childhood during which his parents divorced.
He described his father, a veteran of the Korean war, as a strict man who physically abused Maher and was later committed, suffering from schizophrenia.
Maher has been detained for nearly three years by Monaco authorities. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Safra's 65-year-old widow, Lily Safra, is ranked Britain's eighth-richest woman.
To think of all the bandwidth and good will that has been used up on the FR over this......