Phil Spector's defence team launched its case today (June 26), calling a scientific expert to the witness stand.
Dr Vincent J DiMaio testified that the physical evidence found at the scene of Lana Clarkson's death was consistent with the actress killing herself.
"People think the most difficult cases are homicides," said DiMaio, a retired chief medical examiner who has provided expert testimony in several court cases. "That's not true. It's suicide. People do not want to accept suicides. They will try to make suicides homicides."
DiMaio's testimony contradicts the prosecution's forensic case, which concluded today.
Spector is accused of murdering Clarkson on February 3, 2003 at his Los Angeles mansion. The defence contends that the actress shot herself.
The prosecution's last scientific witness was Lynne Herold, a criminalist for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
She testified that Spector was within three feet of Clarkson when the fatal shot was fired, which she determined from the patterns of the blood spattered on Spector's coat, reports the Los Angeles Times.
DiMaio rejected that conclusion today, saying a German study on animals showed that blood droplets could travel farther.
The prosecution has not technically rested its case because the testimony of Spector's former attorney Sara Caplan remains outstanding.
Caplan has been ordered by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler to take the witness stand, but she has refused, citing attorney-client privilege. Caplan now stands in contempt of court.
--By our Los Angeles staff.
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