Crime scene investigation

CRJU255CasereviewassignmentFall20241.docx

Dionysius Ayala

CRJU 255

Professor Adamo

September 18, 2024

CRJU 255 Case review assignment Fall 2024

In class, please pick one index card with a homicide case written on it.

Answer the following questions as it pertains to the case you have chosen.

Case you have chosen: Phil Spector (Victim-Lana Clarkson)

1. Who was the suspect?

The suspect was Phil Spector, a legendary musician/producer who worked with many famous artists like The Beatles and The Ronettes.

2. Who was / were the victim(s)?

The victim was Lana Clarkson, a 40-yr old actress known for her roles in films like “Barbarian Queen” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”

3. When did the homicide (s) occur?

The homicide occurred on February 3, 2003.

4. Where did they occur?

The homicide took place at Phil Spector’s mansion, known as “The Pyrenees Castle,” located in Alhambra, California.

5. Give a brief description of the case(s) chosen.

On February 3, 2003, Lana Clarkson was found dead in Phil Spector’s mansion from a gunshot wound to the mouth. Clarkson had met Spector earlier that night at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, where she worked as a hostess. After leaving the venue together, they went to Spector’s mansion. According to the driver waiting outside, Spector later emerged holding a gun and allegedly stated, “I think I killed somebody.” Spector’s defense argues that Clarkson had committed suicide, while the prosecution maintained that Spector had a history of violence and controlling behavior toward women.

6. How long was the trial?

The first trial began in March 2007 and lasted until September 2007. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial. A retrial started in October 2008, and the send trial lasted until April 2009.

7. What was/were the key pieces of evidence that were used in the case/investigation?

Blood spatter evidence: Expert testimony indicated that the blood spatter on Spector’s jacket suggested he was close to Clarkson when the gun was fired.

Spector’s history of violent behavior: Several women testified that Spector had threatened them with guns in the past, establishing a pattern of behavior.

The driver’s testimony: Spector’s driver testified that he saw Spector emerge from the mansion holding a gun and saying, “I think I killed somebody.”

8. Was there a conviction?

Yes, Phil Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in April 2009.

9. Was there a retrial based on new evidence?

The retrial occurred because the first trial ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury, not because of new evidence.

10. Was there an acquittal?

There was no acquittal. Phil Spector was convicted and sentenced to 19 years to life in prison.

References

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/c/66e10e4b-e648-800c-bd4a-0acd47372019.

Ryan, H. (2009, April 14). Phil Spector convicted of second degree murder. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-14-me-spector14-story.html.

TermPaperFall2024CRJU255.docx

Term Paper Fall 2024 CRJU 255

10% of the overall grade for this class will consist of a term paper worth 100 points on crime scene investigation. The paper will deal with a famous case where the crime scene and its investigation played a major role in the outcome or lack or resolution of the case

. The student is expected to:

1)Provide details of the crime (the who, what, when and where of the crime (s). If you are writing about a serial killer please list all the scenes. (Provide a lot of information about the crime scene)

2) The types of evidence that were discovered at the scene(s). Talk a lot about the crime scene.

What information did this evidence provide to the investigation?

Were there problems with the evidence (improperly collected, contaminated, lost etc.)

3) how the scene investigation was conducted. Were there any challenges that investigators had to deal with in processing the scene(s) (weather, location, time between commission of crime and its discovery etc.?)

4) How did the overall processing of the scene and processing of evidence at the scene affect the overall investigation?

The paper will be due 1 week prior to the end of the semester. Late submission will result in loss of points. Lateness of 1 week will result in a 10-point loss, The paper can be handed in any time prior to the deadline and this is encouraged.

Format: Font- Times new Roman 12 point, double spaced, 1-inch margin around, each page numbered minimum 5 pages not including the bibliography or cover sheet.