Spector witnesses' credibility challenged

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (UPI) -- The credibility of two witnesses was challenged during the trial of Phil Spector, accused in the 2003 death of an actress in his Los Angeles-area home.

On cross-examination, defense attorneys challenged Adriano DeSouza, the driver who said he heard Spector say, "I think I killed somebody," soon after Lana Clarkson was shot to death at the music producer's mansion, The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

After the jury was excused for the day, criminalist Henry Lee, expected to be a key defense witness, answered prosecutors' allegations that he might have withheld key evidence picked up at the crime scene. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler has been hearing the matter outside the jury's presence, the Times said.

Spector is accused of killing Clarkson, found shot in the mouth at his home. He pleaded innocent and is free on $1 million bail.

DeSouza was the only person besides Spector and Clarkson at the house when the shooting occurred. Prosecutors contend his account of being told by Spector he thought he killed someone is a confession. The defense maintains DeSouza misunderstood Spector because he spoke poor English and was sleepy during the 5 a.m. encounter.