Talking of cases coming to a pop court near you soon, more on the pending Phil Spector trial, which is now not expected to reach court until the New Year.
Lawyers representing the legendary music producer are trying to get the judge overseeing the case to throw out self-incriminating comments made by Spector to the police shortly after Lana Clarkson was found shot dead at his LA home. According to police records, Spector initially apologised for shooting Clarkson but later, of course, claimed she had, in fact, committed suicide. Prosecution lawyers will use that initial admission as part of their case against the producer.
But defence lawyer Bruce Cutler has submitted a document to the court saying that those initial comments made by his client should not be considered in court because they were made when the producer "was experiencing symptoms of withdrawal from his medications, which could include hallucinations, forgetfulness, serious fatigue, and/or slurring". Cutler claims that Spector was in no condition to comment on the incidents that occurred at his home because when police initially interviewed the producer they either refused or ignored his requests to take the medications he was receiving at the time for depression, seizures, stomach acid, migraines and pain. Cutler also wants the judge to exclude evidence of 14 guns seized from Spector's home and the record producer's past misdemeanour firearms convictions.
The prosecution now have until 21 Oct to respond to Cutler's requests.