Jurors Visit Phil Spector's Mansion

The jury in the Phil Spector trial toured parts of the music producer's mansion as they visited the scene of the death of actress Lana Clarkson. The jury also learned that the trial is winding down with final witnesses for both sides scheduled next week.

As the jurors visited the mansion where Clarkson died, they wanted to in effect re-enact the events of Feb. 3, 2003, but were not allowed to do so by Judge Larry Fidler, although he did grant some of their requests.

Demonstrating their attention to evidence presented in the case, these are the 10 handwritten questions the jurors asked Judge Fidler, followed by his response:

• They wanted to visit an upstairs room where Spector's blood-spattered jacket found. Not available.

• Request to sit on the chair where Clarkson's body was found. Approved and four jurors did sit in the chair.

• Sit in car with door closed and AC-heater and radio on and window up (to simulate the driver's position on the night of the shooting). Not allowed.

• Asked that an upstairs window be closed. Okay.

• Requested that media helicopter noise be removed. Judge asked pilots to back off and they complied.

• They wanted the front door closed and a loud noise made from inside the house, to re-enact the gunshot the driver said he heard. Request denied.

• The jury asked if someone could stand at the front door and speak conversationally, to see if the driver could have heard Spector. Request denied.

• They wanted to see the bar inside Spector's home. Judge Fidler originally said no but did allow jurors to see the bar.

• The jury asked if the phone in foyer was in the same position and working at the time. Judge referred jurors to testimony that the phone was working.

• Jurors also wanted to know if the fountain function exactly the same as on Feb. 3, 2003 and if the pump variable. Jurors were told the fountain is the same and the pump is not variable.

Some of the jury's requests were turned down by Judge Fidler because they would have constituted a re-enactment of the evidence. Jurors must deliberate only on evidence presented to them in the courtroom and are not allowed to create their own re-enactments.

The only hold up for final arguments in the trial next week might be the health of one of Spector's defense attorneys. Linda Kenney-Baden, who is scheduled to deliver part of the final argument for Spector, has been out sick.

Background:
The Murder of Lana Clarkson
The Phil Spector Case

Forum:
Discuss The Phil Spector Case

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See Also:
Phil Spector Jurors Visit Crime Scene
Phil Spector's Trial Goes On Location