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Phil Spe ctor Trial. Murder of Lana Clarkson. Arrest of Phil Spector February 3, 2003.
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Phil Spector Trial Murder of Lana Clarkson
Arrest of Phil SpectorFebruary 3, 2003 • Record producer Phil Spector wasarrested early that morning at hisAlhambra mansion. Police weresummoned by a limo driver who dropped off Spector and actress Lana Clarkson, 40, and was waiting in the mansion’s driveway. According to the limo driver, several shots were fired, then Spector came out and said “I think I killed somebody.” • Officers who entered the mansion found Clarkson in the foyer, slumped over a chair, dead of a gunshot wound to her temple. Spector resisted arrest, was Tasered and then tackled. A handgun believed to be Spector’s was recovered. • Spector allegedly told officers the incident was an accident. He then claimed that it was a suicide.
Spector’s initial admission &later exculpatory statements • At a suppression hearing Spector asked that his admission to officers that he accidentally shot the victim be suppressed because he was under the influence of prescription drugs. His motion was denied. Judge Fiedler ruled that this admission can be introduced. • Spector’s lawyers also asked to introduce later exculpatory statements made by Spector to police, that Clarkson’s death was by her own hands, either an accident or a suicide. Judge Fiedler repeatedly refused to allow these statements in unless Spector takes the stand and can be cross-examined.
The strange case ofDr. Henry Lee • Dr. Henry Lee, former Connecticut State criminalist, is an expert in forensic serology. His testimony helped gain OJ’s acquittal. • Two former members of Spector’s defense team, attorney Sara Caplan and investigator Stanley White, testified that Dr. Lee took what looked like a fragment of an acrylic fingernail from the scene. It could suggest that Clarkson’s hand was in front of her face, not on the trigger. • Dr. Lee vigorously denied taking the item. But judge Larry Fiedler ruled that he withheld evidence. Prosecutors can mention the item and attack Dr. Lee’s credibility if he takes the stand. • Dr. Lee later told his hometown newspaper that from “from day one they (were) probably trying to set me up." In later comments Dr. Lee said he was “severely offended” by the judge’s ruling and that if he testified it would be “on his schedule” and would cost the defense a lot of money, as he would be traveling in China.
Henry Lee at the O.J. trial • Testified there was "something wrong" in howLAPD handled blood evidence collected at thecrime scene that was matched to O.J. • Transfer stains inside containers of supposedly dry blood samples. • "Something, somebody . . . put the swatch in the (package to) cause such a transfer. Who did it? What happened? I don't know,“ he said. "Only opinion I can give you under these circumstances: Something's wrong." • Defense argued this proved that the blood was tampered with. Prosecution argued any staining had been caused by heat buildup. • Dr. Lee also testified to shoe prints, blood spatter and other evidence, in each case taking the position of the defense. Although his opinions were subjective and some were highly qualified, his testimony was considered devastating to the prosecution.
Victim’s computer entries,including her diary • The defense wants to introduce Dana Clarkson’s “diary”found in her computer • This diary, “The Story of my Life” described... • An interest in the occult, including visions of an actress who killed herself • Depression with her acting career • A “fascination” with guns • Drug problems when she was young • Heavy drinking • Prosecutors knew about the diary but felt it was not trustworthy – that it could not be authenticated, that it could have been part of Dana Clarkson’s work for a creative writing class she took. They did not give it to the coroner to use in evaluating the cause of death. • There was also an e-mail to a friend, “despairing over financial problems and [saying that she] wanted to get her affairs in order and ‘chuck it’.” • The judge criticized prosecutors for “over-explaining” and questioned how one could keep the victim’s words out of the trial. But he found diary entries made in the 80’s and 90’s too old to be relevant, so he only allowed the more recent e-mails to come in.
Opening statements April 25, 2007
Openingstatements (4/25/07) • Prosecution: murder • Victim sitting with handbag, ready to leave • Spector told driver “I think I killed somebody” • Gun belonged to Spector • Spector used diaper to wipe blood from revolver and victim’s face • Blood spray on Spector’s jacket showed he was within three feet • Spector tried to wash off gunshot residue (GSR) • Spector used guns in past to threaten women who resisted his advances • Defense: “accidental suicide” • Police jumped to conclusions • Victim playing, accidentally shot herself • Loaded the gun (her DNA on cartridges) • Limited blood spatter on Spector and absence of GSR on his right sleeve • Limo driver was sleepy, not native speaker, mistook what Spector said • Women to testify are “bitter ex-girlfriends” looking for money and notoriety
Defense lawyerBruce Cutler quits (8/26/07) • Famous New York defense lawyer Bruce Cutler wasallowed to quit the Spector defense team on 8/26, after testimony came to an end. • Cutler successfully defended alleged mob bossJohn Gotti Sr. at three trials. • Spector was concerned that the bombastic demeanorCutler displayed during opening arguments and cross-examination “did not sit well” with the jury. He was also worried that the judge was “targeting” Cutler. • Spector was also miffed that Cutler took time off to work on a new TV show, missing courtroom sessions and the jury’s field trip to Spector’s house. • Cutler told the judge "I do not agree with the strategy which will be employed in presenting the defense in this case to the jury on summation. I can no longer effectively represent my client under those conditions."
Prosecution case-in-chief Pattern evidence
Dorothy Melvin (5/3/07) • In 1993 she was at Spector’s houseand found him pointing a gun at herNew car. When she objected hepointed the gun at her, ordered her backinside and ordered her to strip. She went inside and they argued. She was finally able to leave, leaving her handbag behind. • She asked police to help her retrieve her handbag. Officers who responded temporarily handcuffed Spector while they helped the victim. • Prosecutors played a message Spector left on her answering machine: “Be very careful what you say to me because nothing you say is worth your life." • She did not report the incident to police -- she said she was Joan Rivers’ manager and wanted to avoid a scandal • She stayed in touch with Spector. She never again saw him alone
Dianne Ogden (5/7/07) • In 1989 she was leaving Spector’shome after a small party when heordered her back in at gunpoint to havesex. He “put [a gun] all over me” andsaid he would blow her brains outif she didn’t spend the night. On another occasion he threatened her with an “Uzi” as she tied to drive away. • She felt affection towards Spector, called him generous and charming and said he only turned vicious when he got drunk. • She did not come forward voluntarily – D.A.’s investigators tracked her down in Utah.
Stephanie Jennings andMelissa Grosvenor (5/9/07) • Stephanie Jennings • Two-year romance with Spector in 1990’s. • In 1995 Spector got drunk at a party in ahotel. When she refused to have sex he slapped her, blocked the door, pointed a gun at her and said she could not leave. She was terrified and called police. • Did not think he would have purposely shot her, but feared it could have happened accidentally. She did not tell officers that he pointed a gun. • Tapes played of Spector cursing, that he would “put her out of business.” • She is a photographer, sold pictures of Spector to the Enquirer for $1,000. • Melissa Grosvenor • In 1992 Spector flew her to Pasadena and put her up in a hotel. • When she tried to leave the mansion he pulled a gun, pressed it to her face and said “If you try to leave I'm going to kill you.” She slept on a chair. • Convicted in 1989 of embezzlement (stole from a bank where she worked). • Defense attorney said she tried to keep a sister from testifying. She said she only told her sister not to lie. She said that her sister was an addict and was being paid by Spector.
Vincent TannazzoSecurity guard (7/10/07) • Vincent Tannazzo, a security guardfor Joan Rivers, said he twice kickedout Spector from parties in the early tomid 90’s, once for flaunting a gun andanother time for being belligerent. • On the first occasion, Spector said that all women “deserve a bullet in their head.” • The second time, Spector said, of a woman, “I’m gonna put a bullet in her head.” • Tannazzo admitted he never called police.
Prosecution case-in-chief Night of the event
Rommie Davis, Kathie Sullivan,bartenders, security tape(5/10, 5/14/07) • Rommie Davis had dinner with Spector. He drank two daiquiries. She thought that his behavior had deteriorated due to drinking. • Kathie Sullivan visited several restaurants and clubs with Spector later that night. They ended up at the House of Blues. She described an incident in 1997-1998 when Spector was seeing her and a friend off. He came down the stairs with a rifle or shotgun and escorted them to their car, saying that the gun was for “protection”. They thought he looked like Elmer Fudd. • Spector was drinking “Navy grogs” that night, which contain three kinds of rum. • Spector sent Sullivan home about 2 am. Security footage showed Spector and the victim getting into a limo about 2:24 am, less than three hours before her death.
Adriano DeSouza –Spector’s driver (5/15 – 5/22/07) • Occasionally worked as Spector’s driver. • Spector invited Clarkson, VIP room hostess at the House of Blues to the mansion. She at first declined because she had to work the next morning. She told DeSouza “just for one drink.” Spector yelled at her for talking to the driver. • About 5 am DeSouza was waiting in the mansion driveway when he heard a “pow.” Spector stepped out with a gun and said “I think I killed somebody.” Blood dripped from a finger. DeSouza asked what happened and Spector shrugged. DeSouza walked into the mansion and saw the body. DeSouza drove off and called 911. • DeSouza admitted that he once said “shot” but “killed” was correct. He defended his English. Videos of interviews indicate he understands English. DeSouza said he is illegally in the U.S. and that his deportation was deferred for the trial.
Prosecution case-in-chief Physical evidenceand forensics
Coroner Dr. Louis Pena – Cause of death (5/29 to 6/1/07) • Positively ruled the death a homicide • Coroner’s special role – to determinecause of death • Circumstantial evidence • Spector’s statement to driver • Clarkson’s presence at a stranger’s house • Clarkson’s death by another person’s gun • Only drawer opened was one containing gun • No history of depression or attempted suicides • Drugs she was taking had been prescribed by a neurologist for headaches • Physical evidence • Gun was wiped down after its use • Left front pocket of Spector’s pants stained with her blood • Tongue bruised, consistent with barrel being shoved in her mouth • Evidence indicates trigger pulled while the gun was inside her mouth • Death instantaneous, she could not exhale or cough out blood • Gunshot residue on her hands is expected
Dr. Louis Pena (6/4 – 6/5/07) • Dr. Pena admitted that he did not read all here-mails before ruling that her death was murder. • Defense attorneys confronted Dr. Pena withexcerpts from Lana Clarkson’s recent e-mails: • "I'm giving up the dream and therefore the struggle“ • "Things are pretty bad. I won't go into detail, but I'm on the verge of losing it all" (She was heavily in debt, suffered from severe headaches and was in pain from breaking her arms in a fall.) • When the prosecutor read longer passages from the e-mails, placing these comments in context, Dr. Pena said that her talk about “giving it up” meant giving up on her acting career, not suicide. • Dr. Pena also noted that she made plenty of positive comments, wrote of future plans and sent holiday greetings. He found no basis for changing his opinion on the cause of death.
Det. Mark Lillienfeld –Murder weapon, motive (6/5/07) • “Unregistered” murder weapon found next to victim. Open drawer in nearby table had a matching holster. Same ammunition found in home and two other revolvers found upstairs. • Gun wiped of blood; bloody diaper in bath. • Shotgun resembling gun used to threaten Dorothy Melvin also found upstairs. • Many phones in residence -- none were used to call for help • Dark interior, lit candles, alcohol, brandy snifter, ginger ale, Viagra suggest sexual motive • Defense attorney criticized failure to use of hairnets and booties to prevent contamination • No evidence that victim’s clothes were ripped or torn
Criminalist Steve Renteria –Blood evidence (6/12/07) • Spector’s DNA not found under Clarkson’s nails (goes against theory of a struggle) • Small amount of Spector’s DNA found on herleft breast, and DNA which is to a much lesser certainty hers in Spector’s groin area • Suggests sexual contact (consensual?) • Only Clarkson’s DNA found on the gun. • Touching can transfer DNA, so defense says this rules out Spector holding the gun • According to Renteria, DNA from victim’s blood would overwhelm DNA deposited by someone who might have held the gun. • No blood spatter found on floor or walls • Consistent with someone standing in front of Clarkson when the shot was fired
Hairs, fibers, fingerprints,firearm (6/13 – 6/18) • Acetate tape used to lift hairs and fibers fromvictim’s dress • Procedure criticized by defense fordisturbing blood patterns • Criminalist said she was careful to stay away from the blood • Photos of Clarkson’s hands “did not turn out” – cannot tell if it’s spatter or freckles on her hand • No fingerprints at all found on murder weapon or ammunition • Criminalist testified that usable prints are rarely recovered from firearms • Firearms expert • Ammunition used to kill the victim was rare and identical to other ammo in the home • Gun used in the killing could not go off unless someone pulled the trigger • Gun discharged inside victim’s mouth
Dr. Lynne Herold –LASD Crime Lab (6/19 – 6/20) • Clarkson’s body was moved and tampered with • Victim’s blood was on the gun. Blood on raised surfaces was smeared, as though the gun was wiped down. • Blood on Clarkson's face was also smeared. A bloody diaper found in the bathroom may have been used to wipe her face and/or gun. • Bloodstain on the chair shows that her head was turned from right to left. Victim did not do this -- the gunshot was incapacitating. • Purse was hanging on her shoulder backwards, an awkward way to carry • Blood stains inside Spector’s pants pocket suggest he put the gun there • Spatter patterns on Spector’s clothes show he was within two to three feet. • Citing studies, defense said spatter from a shot in a contained area could go to seven feet. Dr. Herold said studies were not real-world (one used a sponge).
Attorney Sara Caplan (7/10/07)Det. Richard Tomlin, LASD (7/23/07) • Caplan was found in contempt by JudgeFiedler for reusing to testify and wasthreatened with jail. • After the California Supreme Court refusedto hear her appeal, Caplan testified thatshe called Dr. Lee’s attention to a smallwhite object on the floor and that he placed it in a vial. • She said was the size of a fingernail. The defense claims this is too large an item to be the fragment of an acrylic fingernail missing from one of Clarkson’s fingers. • Det. Tomlin testified that no such object was ever turned over to investigators.
Defense Physical evidenceand forensics
Dr. Vincent J. DiMaio –Forensic Pathologist (6/26 – 29) • Prominent retired Chief Medical Examiner • "People...try to make suicides homicides.” • Physical evidence proves she shot herself • Spatter can go six feet or more; patternson Spector’s clothes show he was far away • Bruising of tongue and body movementcaused by expanding gun gases • Her hands had much more gunshot residuethan Spector’s. She also had tissue on herarms and blood spatter on her hands. • She was depressed, used alcohol and drugs • "She's the one who fired the gun...andprobably didn't think of the consequences.It was...stupid...based on alcohol.” • Spector was too weak to overpower her –she could have easily taken the gun away • Conceded that most suicides don’t shootthemselves in the mouth and rarely killthemselves outside their homes
Robert Middleberg – forensictoxicologist (7/18/07)Stuart James – blood spatter (7/23/07) • Middleberg said it was impossible to tell if Spector was drunk the night of Clarkson’s death • Urine tests can over-estimate BAC • Without conducting experiments on theperson in question one cannot say if a 135-pound man would become drunk after consuming, in one night, “a daiquiri, two Navy Grogs containing three shots of liquor in each, and four additional drinks.” • James said there is no consensus among experts on how far spatter can travel from an intra-oral wound • Estimates range from inches to as much as six feet depending on the size of blood drops and how much force or pressure was involved
Dr. Werner Spitz,forensic pathologist (7/25-27/07) • Former Detroit chief medical examiner. testified in Kennedy assassination. Wrote a text used in medical schools. Gets $5,000/day. • Clarkson’s wound self-inflicted • Drinking and prescription painkiller could have impaired Clarkson’s judgment • Wounds to mouth almost always suicide • Blood and gunpowder on her hands, tissue on her sleeves indicates self-inflicted • Gunshot caused bruising in mouth • “Last cough” when artery was broken and force of gunshot like a “fire hose”, sprayed blood/tissue 6 feet +. Spector would have had more blood on him if he was close. • Prosecutor asked why none of the victim’s sprayed blood was on the rug or furniture. Dr. Spitz said he couldn’t comment as he didn’t see the other evidence.
Dr. Jan LeetsmaNeuropathologist (8/8/07) • Clarkson’s position, slumped with legs out,is consistent with suicide. • Bodies can spasm hours after death (cited doctorreports about persons guillotined during theFrench Revolution. • Cannot determine whether Clarkson’s death was murder or suicide • But -- persons cannot exhale blood five seconds after a fatal shot
Dr. Michael Badenpathologist (8/14-16/07) • Clarkson did not die instantly because herspinal cord was not completely severed. Shelived for several minutes after the shot. • This explains why she could cough outblood, and at a distance • She might have done it while Spector was trying to help her, thusexplaining the stains on his jacket • No medical evidence that Spector’s finger was on the trigger • “To a reasonable degree of medical certainty” the wound was self-inflicted • Broken fingernail indicates her thumb was on the trigger • Mouth wound is characteristic of suicides • Vigorous prosecutor cross-examination • Baden accused of tailoring his explanation, of waiting until the last moment to bring up the spinal cord issue. But Baden said he only thought of it issue over the weekend. He called it an “ah ha!” moment • Baden is the husband of Spector attorney Linda Baden. He insists that however the trial comes out is of no consequence to him. • Baden’s fee will total $120,000
Defense Mental state
John Barons, playwrightDavid Schapiro, friend (7/10/07) • Barons said that Clarkson was not very talented • Only cast her in a production because shehad Hollywood contacts and he hoped theywould come see the play and recognize histalent. Agreed this was “pretty shallow” on his part. • He eventually fired her because she was “erratic” and “demanding” • Schapiro gave police e-mails he received from Clarkson • “I am truly at the end of this deal. I am going to tidy up my affairs and chuck it, because it is really all too much for one girl to bear anymore.” • “I’ll have to bite the bullet and start doing amateur strip contests.” • Schapiro agreed that Clarkson often exaggerated • He didn’t worry about her being suicidal
Jennifer Hayes-RiedlClarkson’s friend (7/11-12/07) • Clarkson “was absolutely out of her minddepressed” about money and her career • Borrowed clothes to wear at work • Broke up with a man she hoped “was the one” • Did not have money for rent or food • Drank too much and combined painkillers and alcohol • Clarkson “never gave up hope” that “it” (a successful career) would happen • Clarkson knew how to use guns • Appeared in roles where guns were used • Went shooting at the Beverly Hills Gun Club • Described a prospective defense witness, Punklin Laughlin, as someone “who can’t remember anything” • She accompanied Laughlin to meet with a defense investigator to help remind her of things
Punklin Laughlin –Clarkson’s friend (7/12, 7/16-18) • Claimed to be Clarkson’s “soulmate.” • Talked to Clarkson on phone a few daysbefore her death. Clarkson said "I don't wantto live anymore. I don't want to live in this town. I want to end it.“ • Clarkson used drugs and alcohol. She was “despondent” over her failed acting career and money problems. • Clarkson broke down when movie director Michael Bay didn’t recognize her • On cross-examination Laughlin said... • She didn’t mention the phone call or depression to detectives because she had been warned to have a lawyer when talking with police and sidn’t want to hurt anyone • Admitted she spoke with a publicist and a writer after her friend’s death. • Denied her testimony might be biased because she promotes a nightclub partly owned by a friend of Spector. • Denied ever saying “we need to fry that bastard for killing Clarkson” • Prosecution later introduced a letter where Laughlin wrote: “My Lana...my sister...was violently taken from me at the hands of Phil Spector."
Gregory Sims, Clarkson’s friend (7/24/07)Richard Munisteri, lawyer, House of Blues (7/31/07)LASD computer analyst Thomas Fortier (8/1/07)Donna Clarkson, Lana Clarkson’s mother (8/13/07) • Sims is an independent producer, had a “platonic” relationship with Clarkson. Spoke with her a week before her death • She was despairing of her love life and career • Prosecutor asked if Clarkson was one of those people trying to make it in the entertainment business who had “hope and perseverance.” Sims said yes. • Munisteri said that Clarkson made $9/hour as a hostess • Fortier searched Clarkson’s computer for "murder," "depression" and "suicide.“ • Keyword “depression” appeared twice, once in an Oct. ‘02 message from her to a friend, "The depression level I am experiencing makes me very spent and worn out,“ and in an e-mail to her about depression screening at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center • Keyword “suicide” did not appear on her computer • Donna Clarkson found forged letters of reference from prominent entertainment executives in her daughter’s home • Defense claims Lana Clarkson intended to use them to obtain a loan
Patrick Terzian, Clarkson’s agent (8/1-6/07)Nili Hudson, Clarkson’s friend (8/2/07)Michael Bay, film director (8/6/07)Donna Clarkson, Lana’s mother (8/13/07) • Terzian said Clarkson was not “over-the-hill” • She was a “successful working actress”,“beautiful, outgoing and talented” • Just before her death she was “ecstatic” about two new modeling jobs • Hudson said Clarkson was not depressed in the weeks preceding her death and that it was “absurd” to think her suicidal • In 10/02 she came out of a serious fall with two broken wrists “excited... happy....like she'd always been: hard-working, tenacious, a self-starter.“ • Clarkson was going shopping for shoes that would be easier on her feet • Received a note from Punkin Pie Laughlin that said: “My Lana, my best friend...was violently taken from me at the hands of Phil Spector." • Hudson admitted that she thought Spector was “absolutely guilty” • Bay was asked about Punkin Pie Laughlin’s assertion that Clarkson broke down when he didn’t recognize her at a party • He knew Clarkson well and had used her for a Mercedes commercial • Clarkson was “funny” & “saucy”. He would not have purposely snubbed her • Donna Clarkson said she went shopping for shoes with Lana Clarkson the afternoon of her death. Her daughter bought seven pairs.
Devra RobitailleFormer employee, friend, lover (8/21/07) • Employed by Spector at his record label inthe late 70’s • Had an affair with him (she was married) • Spector, who had been drinking, tried to keep her from leaving a party at his house. This happened in the 1970’s. • He locked the door, then pointed a shotgun at her and threatened to blow her head off. The barrel touched her temple. It felt cold. • She told him to put the gun down, and he did. He unlocked the door and let her out. • He threatened her again with a shotgun in 1986, at another party • She did not think he would actually shoot her • She was paid $9,000 for media interviews in Great Britain about this case
Dr. John Andrews,neuropathologist (8/22/07) • Bullet hit spinal cord dead center. Very unlikely thatcord was not completely severed. • Clarkson could not have “breathed, coughed, spit or moved” after this took place • It was “inconceivable,“ “impossible“ and “not medically reasonable“ that she could have “lingered” or coughed blood after the bullet transected her spinal cord. • Humans are not like chickens, who can run around after their heads are cut off. Transection “abolishes” human reflexes. • The examples given of those guillotined during the French Revolution relates only to muscle contractions, not to the circumstances in this case
Dr. Werner Spitz,forensic pathologist (8/23/07) • Clarkson’s lugs had some air left, indicating shetook a breath after the gunshot • Gun caliber not large, may not have completelysevered the spinal cord. Enough of a connection left to transmit an electrical impulse that resulted in a cough, accounting for blood spatter on Spector’s jacket. • Spinal cord damage noted at autopsy was “compounded” by the body being moved from the scene
Miscellaneous and closing Jury visits scene Competing view of physical evidence Closing arguments Verdict Sentencing
Jury visits mansion(8/9/07) • Spector “welcomed” jurors to the mansion.He was dressed casually. • Jurors toured some of the mansion’s rooms.Photos were displayed to help them connect these rooms to trial testimony. • Jurors were allowed to: • Sit in a chair just like the chair where Clarkson sat, trying to recreate the position in which she was found. • Sit in a car positioned where the limo was parked when the shot was fired. • Jurors were not allowed to: • See the room where Spector’s blood-spattered jacket was found • Sit in a car in a driveway with the windows closed and A/C on • Listen from outside when someone set off a loud noise in the mansion with the doors closed. • Jurors spent about an hour at the mansion.
Charge – 2nd. Degree Murder • Jury will decide only on this charge • Murder (187a PC): “Murder is the unlawful killing ofa human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought.” • Malice (188 PC): “Such malice may be express or implied. • It is express when there is manifested a deliberate intention unlawfully to take away the life of a fellow creature. • It is implied, when no considerable provocation appears, or when the circumstances attending the killing show an abandoned and malignant heart.” • Proving that someone not acting in self-defense knowingly pointed a loaded gun at another person may be enough to establish malice (see later slide) • Degrees of murder (189 PC): “All murder which is...willful, deliberate, and premeditated...is murder of the first degree. All other kinds of murders are of the second degree.” • Penalty for 2nd. Degree murder is 15 years to life. 85% of the sentence must be served.
Competing views of physical evidenceLos Angeles Times, 8/13/07 • Diaper soaked in blood • Prosecution: Spector used it to wipe blood from gun • Defense: Spector used it to staunch Clarkson’s bleeding • Up to 18 tiny drops of Clarkson’s blood found on Spector’s jacket • Prosecution: places Spector up close, within three feet • Defense: if he was that close his jacket would have been soaked in blood • Blood on Spector’s trousers • Prosecution: blood inside pocket shows Spector put the gun there • Defense: lack of blood on trouser legs shows he was standing far away • Blood on Clarkson on her dress, not her extended legs • Prosecution: proves blood spatter was short-range • Defense: her legs splayed out later, when she slumped in the chair • Gun found under Clarkson’s left ankle (she was right-handed) • Prosecution: if she held gun it would have fallen on the other side • Defense: police moved the gun See next slide for defense “10 points”
Defense 10 points, argued during closing Source: Los Angeles Times, 9/10/07
Prosecution’sclosing argument (9/5/07) • Emphasized driver’s statement, forensicevidence and pattern testimony • Criticized “experts”: “If you hire enough lawyers who hire enough experts who are paid enough money, you can get them to say anything” • Said that the conclusions of the three defense pathologists (Spitz, DiMaio, Baden) were identical and filed within five days of each other – “a script” • Defense witnesses had different explanations for how the victim came to shoot herself • Doesn’t matter whether the gun discharged accidentally, on purpose or during a struggle. Do not have to prove intent to kill.
Defense closing argumentby Atty. Linda Baden (9/6/07)Case goes to jury (9/10/07) • “Isn’t it interesting that the prosecution nevertold you how this could have happened?” • “Who put the gun in Lana Clarkson's mouth and who pulled the trigger?” • Answer: Lana Clarkson • Great emphasis on concept of reasonable doubt, as raised by... • Clarkson’s suicidal tendencies • Reports that almost all intra-oral gunshot wounds are self-inflicted • Limited amount of blood spatter on Spector’s jacket • Absence of blood on Spector's cuffs • Claims that blood spatter could have traveled six feet: "Every inch back from that 2 ½ feet is an inch of doubt... here...there are feet of doubt."