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Russell Armstrong’s lawyer Ronald Richards tells FOX about RHOBH star

By April MacIntyre Aug 17, 2011, 21:10 GMT

Mourning the loss: Taylor Armstrong and Daughter - Taylor Armstrong Evening of Beauty at the Long-Time-Liner Salon Grand Opening - Arrivals - Long-Time-Liner Salon - Beverly Hills, CA, USA © Claudio Uema / PR Photos

"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" Russell Armstrong’s lawyer Ronald Richards spoke to the host of Fox’s News Channel’s America Live, Megyn Kelly today about the death of Russell Armstrong.

FOX News Channel’s (FNC) America Live*http://video.foxnews.com/v/1115538957001/

Excerpts

On why he wanted to do the Bravo reality show:

“His wife wanted to do it and he was supportive of her. And he felt ultimately like there could be some brand marketing value.”

On how the show affected him:

“He wasn’t really made up to be pounded by the average person that he didn’t know and as the fear of more prospective statements were in the horizon labeling him an abuser it started to really weigh in on him.”

On Armstrong’s mental state:

“I think the specter of him being  labeled as being an abuser was really bothering him because the only type of issues were excessive drinking and a little grabbing. But the show was sorta, kind of pushing him out the door because they couldn’t have him controlling the content—the controversy is what gave ratings.”

On truth of the show:

“The reality in the show was unfortunately a fix in the real world because they were not anywhere close to what was portrayed them in the show, they were basically making their payments.. barely in a deficit mostly every month. Russell was trying his best to keep this persona going but it just wasn’t going to happen.”

“The network has to create ratings and once a controversy starts to exist, they throw kerosene on it and this controversy became part of the storyline and the second season… some people actually enjoy seeing a marriage fall apart.”

On when he last spoke to Russell Armstrong:

“A couple days ago…I can’t remember the exact day but we were in constant communication. He has my personal cell phone.”

On whether or not he saw signs of his illness:

“No…He had the normal symptoms of a guy that worked very hard to make his wife famous and right when she became famous, the marriage ended.”