Former Spector Lawyer Found in Contempt of Court

Jun 18, 10:30 PM

Current Headlines: LOS ANGELES _ An ex-lawyer for Phil Spector was found in contempt of court Monday for refusing to testify about seeing a defense expert allegedly collect crime-scene evidence that was never given to prosecutors.

Sara Caplan, who also served on O.J. Simpson's defense "Dream Team," sniffled as Judge Larry Fidler sentenced her to jail without bail "until she answers the questions" about forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee's alleged find.

But Fidler allowed Caplan to remain free pending an appeal, which must be filed by Friday and could be decided within days.

Spector hired Dream Team co-captain Robert Shapiro and his associate Caplan on Feb. 3, 2003, after he was accused of killing actress Lana Clarkson in his home, but he later fired them.

Still, Caplan said she couldn't tell a jury about what she saw Lee do during a defense team inspection of Spector's home on Feb. 4, 2003, because of her "obligation" to uphold attorney-client privilege and to protect Spector's constitutional rights.

At a hearing last month without the jury present, Caplan testified she saw Lee pick up a small, flat white object and place it in a clear vial. Lee denies he ever saw or collected any such item.

Prosecutors contend the item might be a missing piece of Clarkson's acrylic fingernail, which could prove she used her hand to try to block the fatal gunshot.

Spector says Clarkson shot herself, so a bullet-damaged fingernail could hurt his defense.

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