Spector statements not admissible

LOS ANGELES, May 31 (UPI) -- The defense in the Los Angeles trial of Phil Spector may not introduce statements Spector made to police that Lana Clarkson's death was accidental or suicide.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler issued the ruling Thursday as the defense picked up its multi-day cross-examination of Deputy Medical Examiner Louis Pena, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The music producer is charged in the 2003 death of Clarkson, who was found shot to death in his Alhambra, Calif., home. The defense has argued that Clarkson accidentally shot herself.

Spector's attorney had wanted to introduce parts of what may be Clarkson's computerized diary and Spector's statements, to show the coroner's office didn't weigh all the evidence correctly when it determined the actress' death was a homicide.

Fidler has not ruled on whether to admit the computer records.

Regarding Spector's statements, the judge said, "Those statements are not coming in, my ruling stands, it's final."

The only way the statements would be admitted is if Spector were willing to testify, "subject to cross-examination," the judge said.