(Associated Press) (05/10/04)

By Mason Stockstill

Edited By Michael Bennett

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA - PHIL SPECTOR accused the Los Angeles County coroner's office on Friday of bowing to pressure in deciding the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson at the music producer's mansion was a homicide.

Speaking to reporters outside a hearing in the murder case against him, Spector was asked if the coroner should be considered objective. "He's not. He works for the sheriff," Spector said.

The hearing came a day after Spector's attorneys released the coroner's report, which said Clarkson was shot with a gun inside her mouth and that she had gunshot residue on both hands, indicating she may have fired the weapon.

But the coroner's conclusions, based on autopsy and law enforcement reports, said Clarkson's "male companion" had possession of the gun when it was discharged.

District attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons disputed any suggestion that the coroner's report was tainted by meddling from the sheriff or district attorney.

"The evidence is what the evidence is," Gibbons said. "The coroner's office could not rule that this is a suicide."

She noted that Spector also had blood and gunshot residue on his hands when he was arrested.

The coroner's office would not comment on the case.

Spector was animated throughout the court appearance, at one point appearing to make an obscene gesture to the prosecutor.

He spoke to reporters outside even though defense attorney Leslie Abramson told him repeatedly not to do so.

Spector said sheriff's deputies roughed him up when he was arrested in February 2003. He said he suffered a broken nose and two black eyes and that deputies used an electric stun gun on him.

He also claimed county prosecutors cut a deal with Adriano Desouza - the chauffeur who told officials he heard Spector say he may have killed Clarkson - to intercede in his deportation hearing in exchange for his testimony.

"He is illegal, and he was threatened with deportation," Spector said.

Gibbons said no such deal was made with Desouza.

Spector, who was arrested immediately after the death but not charged until November, is free on $1 million bail.

Lawyers on Friday also discussed his upcoming court schedule. A hearing scheduled for May 21st was postponed, with the date to be determined later.

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