Bloody Scene Shown in Phil Spector's Case

Wed, 20 June 2007 12:00:00 ET

Bloody Scene Shown in Phil Spector's Case Phil Spector's murder trial jury were shown graphic and gory images of his alleged victim's bloodied corpse on Tuesday (19.06.07). Sheriff's criminologist Lynn Herold talked the court through Lana Clarkson's injuries as disturbing images of the actress' face, some showing blood oozing from her mouth and nose, were presented.

The 40-year-old woman died of a single gunshot to the mouth at Spector's Los Angeles mansion on February 3, 2003. Although the jury had previously seen the images, Herold went into as yet unheard gruesome detail about clotting and stringy blood, blood spatter and bodily fluids, using the photographs to demonstrate her findings.

The expert said blood had been smeared on the .38-caliber revolver found at Clarkson's feet and on her face and hand. She explained the blood would have been moved by either the gun, a bloody cloth at the scene or "Mr Spector". Prosecutor Alan Jackson asked: "But the gun doesn't move itself, so he (Spector) moved it?" Herold replied: "That is the inference. I'm assuming no law enforcement personnel moved it."

The forensic expert also claimed somebody had moved Clarkson's head before the police arrived at the scene. Herold said she did not visit the crime scene but based her evaluation on photographs and examination of evidence in her laboratory.

Spector's defence team claim Clarkson accidentally committed suicide by shooting herself in the mouth. If the 67-year-old producer is found guilty of murder, he faces between 15 years and life in prison.