Language Barrier

During his long-awaited cross examination of Spector's driver today, lawyer Bradley Brunon several times pronounced Adriano DeSouza’s Brazilian name differently, twice asking him for the correct pronunciation.

"However you want to say it," DeSouza responded evenly the second time.

Brunon picked repeatedly at Desouza’s ability to remember, and to communicate with precision in English about the allegations against Spector. DeSouza, in a dark suit and tie, declined to be baited.

"The most important stuff that happened that night, yes, I remember very well."

DeSouza made the courtroom laugh when Brunon asked him to imitate Spector’s voice. In a high pitched, insistent tone, DeSouza said: "Adriano! Adriano!"

The jury was then excused until Monday.

Comments

[ch]

Watching this trial reminded me of how absurd the American legal system is and that it needs to be reined in. The limousine driver spoke good English to the 911 dispatcher and repeated what Spector told him, "I think I just shot somebody." I understand that this testimony is devastating for Spector. But to allow the defense to ask about the limo driver's high school studies in English and everything after that is ridiculous. No one had any difficulty understanding the guy including Spector before the death of Lana Clarkson, and now we're supposed to believe he can't communicate in English. I wish the judge had some grit and limited the questions.

[BXD]

Does the defense not realize that in highlighting DeSouza's student visa status and the fact that he violated its terms by working, they actually point out that this man is fairly heroic for his actions in the aftermath of the shooting? It is well known that violent crime goes unreported and witnesses are often unwilling to testify or come forward when they risk fallout from INS due to their INS status. DeSouza put all such considerations aside instantly. As for allowing him to stay in the US to testify, is that such favored treatment, as the defense suggests? He is now under INS's watch, unable to support himself and essentially required to remain in the US in a financially burdensome situation. DeSouza deserves respect here.

[Denise Kusel]

Spector is making a spectacle of our court system. If his money buys him freedom, it also is making a mockery of his musical genius. Too bad, Phil, and another rock 'n' roll hero tumbled from the mantle piece of my youth

[sassy1]

The defense has to go after him with anything they can to discredit him, it's their job. I don't think ADS is any kind of hero for calling 911. He is an ilegal alien, his first thoughts were to cover his butt, he certainly didn't try to go over to help a women who had just been shot. He didn't know if she was dead or alive. He fled. I think his english is ok when answering specific questions, but think he gets lost when repeating things. He could have easily mistaken the words that night. When he made the 911 phone call, he didn't say My boss told me, he thinks he killed somone, they asked how do you know, he said because a lady on the floor and Spector with a gun. He referred to Spector on the stand several times as a she instead of he, he certainly knew Spector was a male. He comes over to the US on a student visa, violoates the rules, no longer goes to school, but stays in the country. He's no hero to me.

[ch]

Well if Spector didn't say that to DeSouza, and Desouza got it all wrong, what did Spector say, she just shot herself. Most rational people are not going to believe it. Makes you wonder, why didn't Phil Spector call 911 to report the shooting?

[Marjorie]

The fear of God is not in men because if His fear was in us we would tremble to know that He sees everything and we all have to give an account of our actions to the Holy God. Therefore to the Judge, Jury, Accused, Accuser search your hearts and let truth live. Some of us live our lives vicariously thinking we live and die to ourselves forgetting we have to come face to face with our Maker – the Living God. He says in Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

I have never heard of Mr. Spector or Miss Clarkson until recently, thus they mean nothing to me, but truth should conquer the fear of men. Thus to all intimately involved, remember, we all have to stand before His Judgment throne.