July 25, 2008 20:58

Prosecutors seek to allow 'bloody' forensic testimony in Phil Spector retrial

They oppose defence motions to exclude them

Prosecutors in the Phil Spector murder retrial have filed a motion arguing that jurors should be able to hear testimony on blood evidence and the autopsy of the actress he is accused of killing.

Prosecutors from the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office opposed a motion filed by Spector's lawyers to exclude the testimony presented by forensic experts at Spector's first murder trial -- specifically that of Louis Pena who testified that he concluded actress Lana Clarkson's death was a homicide, reports the Associated Press.

Spector -- the pioneer behind the 1960s Wall Of Sound technique -- is accused of murdering Clarkson at his Los Angeles mansion on February 3, 2003.

After five months of heated testimony last year, the jury reached a 10-2 deadlock in favour of convicting Spector, which resulted in the judge declaring a mistrial.

Meanwhile, a Los Angeles judge yesterday (July 24) set a May 4 date for Spector's lawsuit against Robert Shapiro, the attorney who represented him in the first trial.

Spector alleges that Shapiro's work on the case was inadequate and may have led prosecutors to file formal charges against him. He is seeking the return of a $1 million dollar retainer fee.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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