Spector Trial Medical Examiner Rationally Explains Why He Had Murder On His Mind
It's difficult to know for certain what goes through the bewigged head of Phil Spector as witness after witness takes the stand to offer their damning testimony—perhaps he's conjuring elaborate revenge fantasies involving a variety of binding materials and a double-barreled shotgun, with "Carmina Burana" blasting over the castle stereo system. Yesterday's appearance by L.A. County Medical Examiner Dr. Louis Pena certainly didn't do the defense any favors, with the doctor (pictured above, miming the rare, "intra-oral gunshot wound" that took Lana Clarkson's life) explaining how several factors led him to conclude the shooting was a homicide:
Pena said he based the conclusion not on the autopsy he performed on Lana Clarkson, but on a wide-ranging review that took into account her medical history, personal writings and the circumstances of her death. [...]
From reading her letters and notes, Pena said, he found Clarkson to have a positive outlook.
"I found her to be a hopeful person," he said, adding that she worked regularly and socialized with friends, both unusual for someone considering suicide.
Other nagging issues that contributed to his decision: Why did Clarkson have a bag slung over her shoulder, as if she were on her way out? How did she find a firearm in a giant home she had never been to before? And, of course, there was the small matter of Spector emerging from the home moments after a gunshot rang out, and telling his chauffeur, "I think I killed someone." Clearly, however, the Medical Examiner was not privy, or chose to turn a blind eye, to the videotaped testimonial Spector made just days after the shooting, in which he laid out several alternative theories, including the possibility that Clarkson may have been trying to eat the gun when it accidentally went off. With a blood alcohol level of 0.12, it's quite likely she didn't want to leave on an empty stomach.
[Photo: AP Images]