In this Feb. 2, 2011, file photo, actor Ryan O’Neal speaks at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, during a ceremony where objects from the private collection of Farrah Fawcett’s estate were donated, in Washington.By ANTHONY McCARTNEY
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES – A trial over the ownership of an Andy Warhol portrait of Farrah Fawcett opened Monday with lawyers for Ryan O’Neal and the University of Texas at Austin each telling jurors they have evidence that shows they should be awarded possession of the artwork.
The university’s lawyers told the panel of six women and six men that Fawcett repeatedly described herself as the portrait’s owner before her death in 2009, and her dying wishes included that all her artwork be given to the school.
O’Neal’s lawyer said, however, that the university is relying on witnesses who had animosity toward the Oscar-nominated actor and evidence would show the disputed artwork was a gift to O’Neal from Warhol.