Viagra in Spector home might be clue to what preceded actress's death, or not

Lawyers at Phil Spector's murder trial battled Wednesday over the significance of Viagra at the scene of an actress's death.

Investigators found a three-pack of Viagra tucked in a leather valise on a chair a few feet from the body of Lana Clarkson Feb. 3, 2003. Two of the pills were gone. A chauffeur has testified that Spector retrieved the briefcase from his Mercedes shortly after he and Clarkson arrived at his home.

Cross-examining the homicide detective who collected the pill as evidence, an attorney for Spector suggested the music producer never took the medication.

Lawyer Bradley Brunon noted that the valise, which was monogrammed "PS," contained a host of other personal items unrelated to the shooting, including heartburn medication, breath mints, a wallet, a passport, a change purse and cellphones.

The lawyer asked why authorities had not tested a blood sample they took from Spector after the shooting for the presence of Viagra.

Detective Mark Lillienfeld said he could not answer, because he did not know whether such tests were possible.

"Do you have any evidence whatsoever that Mr. Spector took Viagra that night?" pressed Brunon.

"I do not," the detective acknowledged.

Later, however, under questioning from a prosecutor, Lillienfeld said that in his mind, the Viagra was potentially important for establishing what had occurred in Spector's residence before the shooting.

"I thought at that time, as I do today, that this murder had sexual overtones to it and the Viagra would prove or disprove certain facts," Lillienfeld said.

A valise found in Phil Spector's house contained a pack of Viagra.

He added that he saw other signs of a romantic encounter in the suburban mansion. The lights were off, candles were burning on a mantel and there was alcohol and glasses in the living room and a bathroom, he said.

Spector, 67, remained expressionless as the detective testified. He is charged with murder and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted. He maintains Clarkson, 40, shot herself, either accidentally or in a depression over career woes.

Prosecutors are to begin presenting evidence Wednesday afternoon of evidence allegedly removed from the death scene by defense expert Dr. Henry Lee. A former defense attorney and a former defense investigator are scheduled to take the stand.

source : news.yahoo.com