"I think I killed somebody"

By noon, defense attorney Bradley Brunon had established that the prosecution's star witness, driver Adriano DeSouza, had described the sound of the gunshot that killed actress Lana Clarkson differently at different times; that Spector may or may not have raised his voice during the limousine ride to his Alhambra mansion, and that DeSouza gave Spector his briefcase and his portable DVD player from the limo, although he could not remember in what order. But DeSouza’s central testimony - that after Clarkson's shooting, Spector, clutching a gun, with blood dripping from his fingers, said, “I think I killed somebody” - was not shaken. Although Brunon suggested that the DeSouza only concluded that a gun must have been present because he had heard a gunshot, DeSouza repeatedly insisted, “I saw the gun.” In a series of questions, Brunon demanded to know whether DeSouza was certain what Spector had said - a statement prosecutors have characterized as a confession. “Yes.” “Completely sure?” “Yes.” “Positive?” “Yes.” “No doubt?” “Yes.” “Those very words?” “Yes.” “Those words and no other words?” “Yes.” Later, DeSouza acknowledged that he had told investigators the day of Clarkson’s death that he was not sure whether Spector said he killed someone or shot someone. -- John Spano

Comments

[Phil's going down down down]

DeSouza was calm, sincere and clearly understands English. The defense is groveling.

Whether he reported that Spector said "I think I killed somebody" or said, "I think I shot somebody" he sure didn't say "She shot herself".

[david was]

Instead of producing singers, Phil will be leading the men's choir at Sing-Sing; he will develop a new "Four Walls of Sound"; or perhaps, he could finally realize Chucky Manson's dream and have a like-minded producer finish his long-gestating album; finally, it should be a capital crime to make the kind of hair-choices Phil is guilty of: somebody wire up a barber's chair and throw the switch! Da-do-ron-ron indeed!!

[Steve E]

The evidence so far strongly indicates that Spector did it, but the variable is always the jury's IQ and sophistication. The evidence against OJ was much stronger, and we all remember what happened at that trial.

[Jack Holmes]

in LA, every murderer is innocent until pronounced not guilty.

[tonyS]

The thing that distinguishes Spector from the past celebrity acquittals is that no common juryperson can ever connectto him on any level. His appearance (hairstyles, clothes, etc.) coupled with his rough around the edges personality will alienate him to this jury.
In my experience, jurors want to either identify with the defendant (as putting themselves in his shoes) or empathize with him for his predicament. Spector loses on both fronts.

[John Rennie]

What I fail to understand as an ignorant Brit is why Spector was allowed bail and why it took four years for this trial to come to court. He has had four years of relative freedom, unbelievable by British standards. Surely the prosecition should not have allowed bail if they believed he was a danger to women?

[Antoine Marionette]

In response to the British subject: I feel the answer of why Phil Spector was allowed to live free is simple. Phil Spector has an inexhaustible supply of something that is highly cherished in the United State of America: MONEY. Money can get you out of a lot of unpleasant situations in the US. Can you imagine a poor Mexican or African American being released on his own reconnaisance for 4 years after a brutal murder of this kind? Phil Spector's money and fame have protected him from prosecution for decades - the victims themselves didn't even dream of grappling with him... and the victims were not only women. Phil Spector has been pulling guns on people, on a regular basis, since the 1970s. He is, in my opinion, stark raving mad. Throw some alcohol and prozak on top of that and you've got an ugly stew indeed!

[Nuther point on whether she killed herself]

If she killed herself - WHY DIDN'T SPECTOR CALL 911?????