Fingernail testimony inconclusive

This afternoon, lawyers continued to wrangle over whether members of the Spector defense team took evidence from the crime scene 36 hours after it was combed by homicide investigators. There is no agreement whether anything was taken, who took it, or whether it could have any relevance to the trial of Spector for the murder of Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra mansion four years ago. “Maybe we have a tempest in a teapot,” opined Fidler at one point;. “Maybe we don't.”

At issue are inconclusive reports that criminalist Henry Lee might have taken a fingernail from the crime scene. Medical examiner reported after Clarkson's death that part of one of her acrylic nails was missing from her hand. Defense attorney Bradley Brunon argued the allegation already had been debated in court two years ago. “This is like Batman II,” Brunon said. “We’ve already been through this.” Prosecutor Alan Jackson said that four witnesses had already testified they saw someone pick up a small article at the crime scene. “All we’re trying to figure out is what was taken,” Jackson chipped in. Jurors have not been in court all week. In fact, with today’s proceedings, the total number of court days devoted to the fingernail issue -- 3 -- outnumber the two days of testimony the jury heard before the trialw as put on hold because of defense attorney Bruce Cutler's medical problem. When will it end? “I’m a long way from making any determination,” Fidler said at midafternoon.