A spokesman for LA police has denied yesterday's reports that the death of Lana Clarkson at Phil Spectors home last month was being put down to 'accidental suicide', nor that Spector would soon be cleared of any responsibility in the shooting.
Sherif Captain Frank Merriman told reporters: "No one involved in this investigation said that. My opinion is that somebody is orchestrating this to plant seeds of doubt with potential jurors."
It seems the rumours may have begun with an email sent to Spector and other friends of the legendary producer by long-time friend Marvin Mitchelson – it was him who first used the term "accidental suicide" in describing the death of Clarkson.
But Merriman said the police were not even near reaching a conclusion over the case – in fact investigations could continue until the summer because "the evidence is complex and forensic tests will take months to complete".