LOS ANGELES, June 5 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles coroner, after four days of cross-examination, maintained his conclusion that the death of an actress in Phil Spector's home was a homicide.
Attorneys for the music producer charged in the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson tried to discredit medical examiner Louis Pena's determination by citing writings suggesting Clarkson was despondent and could have killed herself, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. Spector pleaded not guilty.
Defense attorney Christopher Plourd quoted excerpts from Clarkson's writings, including, "I'm giving up the dream and therefore the struggle."
Pena said Clarkson's writings would not have changed his finding had he known about them.
Prosecutor Alan Jackson read longer e-mail passages, which made it appear she was writing about giving up her dream of succeeding in acting.
Authorities released a search warrant Monday that showed sheriff's investigators visited Spector's home to correct what they maintain were miscues by forensic scientist Henry C. Lee, the defense's key witness.
Prosecutors planned to present testimony Tuesday that Lee allegedly took a fingernail-sized object from the crime scene without telling the district attorney.
Prosecutors said the object was a piece of Clarkson's acrylic fingernail. Lee denied the accusation.
