Ex-Madam Can’t Testify in Spector Trial
A number of potential witnesses are eager to testify for the defense in the televised murder trial of music producer Phil Spector. But they may never get their time in the spotlight because of rulings by Los Angeles Judge Larry Paul Fidler.
The witnesses want to talk about actress Lana Clarkson’s depression and troubled past, the Los Angeles Times reports. Their testimony would support the defense theory that Clarkson killed herself rather than suffered a fatal gunshot wound at the hands of Spector.
On Tuesday Fidler barred former Hollywood madam Jody “Babydol” Gibson from testifying that Clarkson had worked for her as a prostitute, saying the information was irrelevant. Prosecutors had claimed Gibson’s trick book was altered to include a fake entry about Clarkson, but Gibson denied it. She appeared in court in stiletto heels, a plunging neckline and a miniskirt barely longer than her jacket.
Fidler is also weighing whether to permit testimony from Raul Julia Levy, said to be Clarkson’s former boyfriend, that Clarkson had used drugs and was depressed. Spector’s attorneys say Julia Levy is the son of the late actor Raul Julia, but his widow has publicly called Julia Levy an impostor.
Prosecutors said Julia Levy had a history of making false statements to police. Their court filing said Julia Levy previously had been charged with driving under the influence, drug possession, domestic violence, child cruelty, sexual assault and providing false identification to police.
