Spector D.A. seeks sanctions against Lee
LOS ANGELES, June 9 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in the Los Angeles murder trial of Phil Spector want a hearing on allegations that forensic scientist Henry Lee violated a court gag order.
Lee, who is scheduled to be a defense witness in the record producer's trial, has chided the prosecution in interviews he gave to Chinese-language news organizations.
The judge in the high-profile case ordered in April that witnesses be instructed not to discuss the case with the media, and prosecutors are seeking a hearing and "appropriate remedy" for what they call ongoing violations of that order, the Los Angeles Times said Saturday.
Lee and the prosecutors have been at odds over witness reports that Lee pocketed a piece of evidence at the murder scene that is believed to be a fragment of victim Lana Clarkson's acrylic fingernail. The Times said the chip was likely blown off by the gunshot that killed her, which would contradict the defense contention that Clarkson shot her self.
Claire Forlani and Dougray Scott wed
LOS ANGELES, June 9 (UPI) -- Actress Claire Forlani and actor Dougray Scott, who recently appeared on "Desperate Housewives," have been married in Italy.
"They're both very excited," a source said after their private ceremony Friday.
Forlani reportedly wore a strapless gown custom made by designer Junko Yoshioka for Bonaparte-NY, People magazine reported.
Pierluigi Forlani, who is the actress's father, planned the festivities for more than 100 guests, acting as the head chef and holding the reception at the family's country home in Pievebovigliana, Italy.
Scott proposed to Forlani Los Angeles in September.
"It was very romantic," Scott told People. "I feel so lucky to have met her. She's an amazing actress and human being. I'm very happy."
Man accused in Letterman plot escapes
BUTTE, Mont., June 9 (UPI) -- The man accused of plotting to kidnap the son of CBS TV star David Letterman has escaped from the Montana State Prison, it was reported.
Kelly Allen Frank, 45, and John Willcutt, 22, were discovered missing Friday afternoon from the prison in Deer Lodge, the Butte Montana Standard reported.
Frank was arrested in an alleged 2005 plot to kidnap the CBS "Late Show" host's son and his nanny. The kidnapping charge was dismissed and Frank was sentenced to 10 years on a lesser charge of overcharging Letterman for work at his ranch.
Frank and Willcutt were working outside and may have used a prison truck to escape from the prison grounds, Warden Mike Mahoney said. The truck was found abandoned.
Willcutt was serving time for burglary and theft convictions.
Frank, who worked as a house painter for Letterman, was alleged to have discussed the kidnapping plan with another person, who later told police.
Japanese royalty at Tokyo hospital
TOKYO, June 9 (UPI) -- Japanese Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko visited Crown Prince Naruhito Saturday at the hospital in Tokyo where he's recovering from surgery.
The visit marked the first time Princess Aiko, 5, has visited her father since the 47-year-old prince underwent an intestinal operation to remove a polyp at the University of Tokyo Hospital Wednesday, the Mainichi Daily News reported.
They arrived to the hospital by car and Princess Aiko, who wore a navy blue one-piece dress and white cardigan, entered the hospital holding the hand of Crown Princess Masako, 43.
Imperial Household Agency officials reported the crown prince was making a swift recovery and was expected to be out of the hospital Tuesday.
