Court hears of Spector's 'armed escort'
Phil Spector once escorted a waitress and her friend out of his mansion while carrying a firearm for "protection", the music producer's murder trial heard yesterday.
Kathy Sullivan told the Los Angeles hearing she thought it odd for Spector to walk them to a car carrying a "long" gun, and that as her friend Susan drove away she commented, "I'm so glad we're out of there."
Sullivan testified she told police "it was the funniest picture in the whole wide world" when Spector appeared dressed in plaid, carrying the weapon, and looking like animated character Elmer Fudd.
During the incident, which allegedly took place in 1997 or 1998, Sullivan said she asked why he was carrying the weapon, and that Spector's one word answer was, "Protection."
She added Spector kept the gun - which appeared to be either a rifle or a shotgun - pointed at the ground and that she never felt threatened during the episode, although both women thought it bizarre.
Defence attorney Roger Rosen claimed Sullivan's testimony was irrelevant and prejudicial, but prosecutor Alan Jackson countered it showed Spector had immediate access to firearms at his home.
Earlier in the day, Sullivan told the court she found Spector to be a father figure who was "very protective".
Spector is accused of shooting Clarkson dead at his Alhambra, California home in February 2003.
He has pleaded not guilty and claims Clarkson committed suicide.
