Spector's DNA not on gun, says expert witness

US: American record producer Phil Spector's DNA was not found on the gun that killed Lana Clarkson, said an expert, but he suggested…

US:American record producer Phil Spector's DNA was not found on the gun that killed Lana Clarkson, said an expert, but he suggested it might have been hidden under the large amount of the actress's blood on the weapon.

Steve Renteria, called by the prosecution in Mr Spector's murder trial on Monday, acknowledged that numerous items analysed by the crime lab showed the DNA only of the dead woman.

"Just because Lana Clarkson was the sole donor [ of DNA] that doesn't mean that nobody else on earth came in contact with those things?" prosecutor Alan Jackson asked the witness. "Correct," replied Mr Renteria. "It all has to do with the amount of cells present." He noted that a large smear of blood on the banister of a staircase next to her body showed only her DNA.

"There could have been trace cells from another donor," he said, but they would have been overwhelmed by the large smear.

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Defence lawyer Christopher Plourd, cross-examining the witness, elicited testimony that Mr Spector's DNA was also not detected on the bullets found in the gun. The defence is expected to argue that the absence of Mr Spector's DNA on the gun means he did not pull the trigger and that Ms Clarkson killed herself.

Ms Clarkson (40) died on February 3rd, 2003, from a single shot fired from a revolver in her mouth. The gun was found by police near one of her feet.

Mr Renteria also testified about the unexpected absence of blood spray from Ms Clarkson on a wall near her body or on the carpet in front of it, suggesting something or someone in front of her could have blocked it. - (AP)