Phil Spector trial: Day 42

The defence in the Phil Spector murder trial announced yesterday that they would wrap up their week-long case after calling a few key witnesses to the stand today (August 1).

However, defence attorneys reportedly changed their tune today, complaining to Judge Larry Paul Fidler that they had not been given enough time to call one of their key witnesses to the stand.

The witness in question is Daniel Haste, a computer consultant hired by the prosecution to examine Lana Clarkson's hard drive for emails and files, some of which have been used to illustrate the actress's battle with depression and disappointment in her acting career.

Spector is accused of murdering Clarkson at his Los Angeles mansion on Febrary 3, 2003. The defence contends the actress' death was suicide.

Testifying for the defence today was Spector's 24-year-old daughter from his third marriage, Nicole Spector.

While on the stand, Nicole said that her father is right-handed, and painted a rosy portrait of their life together, saying that Spector often picked her up from school and would take her to their mother's home to watch 'All In The Family' on television together, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Judge Fidler cut her testimony short, saying, "Let's get to the point."

Meanwhile, prosecutors said they were unprepared for the defence's case to come to such an abrupt end, which has left them scrambling to bring in rebuttal witnesses.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
Find out more about NME.