Spector has mystery evidence

The defence team for music legend Phil Spector, facing trial for murder, is refusing to reveal a mystery piece of evidence, a prosecutor said last night.

Deputy District Attorney Douglas Sortino discussed the dispute as Spector and defence lawyer Robert Shapiro made a brief court appearance.

He said Shapiro was contacted by authorities months ago about “an item of physical evidence that was overlooked at the crime scene and his investigators found” within 48 hours of the February 3 shooting.

Sortino said prosecutors have tried to convince Shapiro since last September to disclose whatever he has. The prosecutor said he believes there is no lawyer-client privilege covering the item.

But Shapiro was unswayed. “We disagree that there’s any obligation we have to turn over any such item if we have it. We’re not saying we do or don’t,” he said.

Spector, 62, has been charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. She was found shot to death in the foyer of his hilltop mansion in the Los Angeles suburb of Alhambra.

The record producer remains free on €723,200 bail. He has said he is innocent and suggested the B-movie actress shot herself.

Judge Carlos Uranga ordered another hearing on the evidence issue on February 17, telling Shapiro to make sure the item in question is not destroyed or altered.

“It is the state of the law if you do have a piece of evidence you have an obligation to turn it over to the people,” the judge said.

Shapiro said that before he would disclose anything, he would ask an appeals court to review the judge’s order. He also said he would file legal arguments with the judge.

Spector, wearing a long pinstripe frock coat over matching trousers, tinted glasses and clunky platform boots, came to court surrounded by a small army of sheriff’s deputies who also guarded him when he left. His only comment during the hearing was to agree to the postponement.

Authorities seized dozens of items as evidence, including blood samples, guns, boxes of ammunition, holsters and computers.