three years ago, lewin told us about his packs for his work, particularly the cold cases. >> i want towhere i feel leak i can bring some skills to the table that will make a difference. you know, you want to try cases where you as a lawyer make -- have some effect. >> reporter: the los angeles trial is shaping up to be a legal showdown, but long-time durst watchers wouldn't be surprised if history repeated itself in california and the houdini of the criminal justice system managed to slip away again. >> it is entirely possible, even likely that, bobby durst will get off yet again and recede into the shadows. but there's another thing of which we can be pretty sure. while in the shadows, durst will call attention to himself yet again. >> reporter: police forces around the country are looking to see if links exist to durst and unsolved murders in their jurisdictions. it has been a long, strange trip for robert durst. from the mid-manhattan towers the foundation of his family's great wealth to the missing wife and the country place outside new york, no charges ever filed. to the utter ast