A colleague and friend of Robert Kissel said the late Merill Lynch banker was willing to give up half of his wealth in exchange for visiting rights to his children if he separated from his wife Nancy.
David Noh, a colleague and friend of Robert's, was testifying at the retrial of Nancy Kissel, 46, who is accused of murdering Robert, 40, on or about November 2, 2003.
'What he told me was he was happy to give up half of his wealth to his wife. He wants to see the kids regularly,' he said.
He said Robert, whose estate was estimated at US$18 million, wanted access to his three children, rather than their custody. He added that Robert always thought Nancy was a good mother.
Nancy Kissel has pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter, which the prosecution has rejected. She allegedly dealt blows to Robert's head with a lead ornament, placed his body in a sleeping bag and carpet, and arranged for it to be removed to a storeroom.
Noh added that at the time Robert was close to confirming an offer by Merill Lynch to work in Tokyo.
