Joel Rifkin's mother, slipping through a loophole in the state's "Son of Sam" law, plans to auction off the video of a jailhouse interview with her murderer son.
The money will go to pay his hefty legal bills. Rifkin was convicted last year in his first murder trial. Rifkin, 34, has allegedly admitted to killing 17 women, many of them prostitutes.
Defense attorney Kathy Trum said because Jeanne Rifkin is the owner of the video, any proceeds from its sale to the highest bidder would not fall under the state's "Son of Sam" law.
Named for mass murderer David Berkowitz, the law prevents criminals from using their crimes to make money. Scott Oakley of the State Crime Victims Board said that while Mrs. Rifkin may technically own the video, any profits should go to the victims.
Ethical questions were raised over Ms. Trum and co-counsel Charles Locks receiving an agent's fee for handling the sale.
