Defense: Science will prove Spector's case
LOS ANGELES, April 26 (UPI) -- Science will refute the claim that Phil Spector killed actress Lana Clarkson, the music producer's attorneys told jurors in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday.
Spector is accused in the 2003 shooting death of Lana Clarkson in his Los Angeles-area home. If convicted, he would face a prison sentence of 15 years to life.
Defense attorney Bruce Cutler Thursday continued his opening statement that began late Wednesday afternoon, The Los Angeles Times said. The attorney told the nine men and three women on the jury panel that no one witnessed the incident.
"Science, forensics is a witness," he said.
The prosecution, in its opening statement Wednesday, said Spector had a history of violence and killed Clarkson by forcing a gun into her mouth when she tried to leave his Alhambra mansion.
"The evidence will show (Spector) did not shoot that woman," Cutler said. "He did not force a weapon into her mouth."
Cutler said the evidence would show that Clarkson shot herself.
"What's consistent with self-inflicted is reasonable doubt," Cutler said.
Charge filed against 'Girls Gone Wild' man
LOS ANGELES, April 26 (UPI) -- "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Frances has more legal trouble, this time in Los Angeles where he's been charged with misdemeanor sexual battery.
According to the filing by the Los Angeles City Attorney, the charge stems from an allegation made by an 18-year-old woman seated beside Francis at a party in January, Access Hollywood said Thursday. The woman claimed that Francis touched her breast, buttocks and inner thigh several times after she asked him not to touch her.
Francis is to be arraigned May 22. If convicted, he could face six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Francis is serving a sentence of 35 days in the Panama City, Fla., jail after pleading guilty to a contempt of court charge on Monday. Earlier this month, he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Nevada on charges that his companies claimed millions of dollars in false business expenses.
Grant arrested in papparazzi incident
LONDON, April 26 (UPI) -- British actor Hugh Grant is being investigated for allegedly kicking a press photographer and throwing a can of baked beans at him.
The scuffle with Daily Star newspaper photographer Ian Whittaker occurred Tuesday morning near Grant's home in South Kensington, The Telegraph reported. The actor voluntarily presented himself at a police station where he was arrested on suspicion of assault, interviewed and then released on bail, the newspaper said.
Grant's attorney confirmed the arrest and that the matter is under investigation
Whittaker said the 46-year-old star of "Notting Hill," "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Music and Lyrics," "looked like he had been out for a morning jog."
"I asked him if he would give me a smile because he was standing with his head down," Whittaker said. "But he must have been having a bad day because he started chasing me down the street."
Whittaker said Grant was abusive "and then he just started kicking me. He was out of order."
'Damn,' Avril tops 2 charts, 'Girlfriend'
NEW YORK, April 26 (UPI) -- Avril Lavigne claimed top spots on both Billboard charts, as "Girlfriend" led the Hot 100 and its album "The Best Damn Thing" was Billboard 200's frontrunner.
Last week's No. 1, Timbaland's "Give It to Me" featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake slips to No. 2. Akon's "Don't Matter" dropped one spot to No. 3. Fergie's "Glamorous" featuring Ludacris remained parked at fourth.
T-Pain's "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" rose from No. 7 to fifth. Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape," featuring Akon, fell from No. 5 to No. 6.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's "I Tried," with Akon as guest artist, zoomed from No. 35 to No. 7. With his own single and two guest appearances, Akon becomes the first artist since 50 Cent in May 2005 to place three songs in the top 10.
One-time chart leader "This Is Why I'm Hot" by Mims fell from sixth to eighth.
Pink's "U + Ur Hand" inched up two positions to crack the top tier, from No. 11 to No. 9.
Gym Class Heroes' "Cupid's Chokehold" featuring Patrick Stump slipped from ninth to No. 10.
