Scout Kitty Update & Phil Spector Retrial Status

Scout Kitty Update

On Tuesday, Scout got the last of his stitches removed. Here you can see how his incision is doing. It's healing nicely.


He kept tearing up the stretchy bandage trying to get to his wound area that we finally removed it. After that, he proceeded to pull out as many of his stitches that he could reach. His sneezing and watery eyes cleared up just like the vet said they would. However, he did pass the virus onto Jumpy since they do like to sleep near each other in the office beds.


Jumpy is now on the tail end of his sneezing and watery eyes. He should be over that in another few days. Scout is slowly adapting to being an inside kitty. He still tells us on a daily basis he wants to go out but the good news is he is now playing on the monster cat tree where he used to avoid it. Again, thank you so much to all of you that were so generous and made a donation to help cover the cost of Scout's operation.

Phil Spector Retrial: Where the case stands

Before court broke for the holidays Dr. Pena was still on the stand under his first cross examination. As court ended, Judge Fidler ruled that there would be a "402 hearing" which is a type of hearing outside the presence of the jury. Weinberg did not feel that a 402 hearing was "a good idea" but Fidler over ruled him.

Dr. Pena's testimony is in a holding pattern because the defense is arguing that they should be allowed to cross him on MOD (manner or "mode" of death) even though the prosecution did not present any evidence about that. Truc Do just asked him questions on the autopsy itself and COD (cause of death). The defense also wants to question Dr. Pena on "psychological autopsy" and what went on in the many department meetings from the time of the autopsy, to the time he finally determined a MOD, many months later.

The prosecution is fighting this. When court resumes on Jan 5th at 9:00 am, motions will be heard on how far the scope of the cross can go and the psychological autopsy issue will also be resolved. Fidler has tentatively stated that any mention of a psychological autopsy may not come in. Fidler is waiting for the defense to complete their motion on the issue. Once that is resolved Dr. Pena will take the stand and will be asked questions by Weinberg outside the presence of the jury. Fidler will rule on a question by question basis whether or not Weinberg can ask those questions in front of the jury.

Once all that is settled there could possibly be a redirect and recross of this witness.

Once he is off the stand the prosecution has three more witnesses. They are going to call a witness they used in their rebuttal case last time, Dr. John Andrews. They are also going to call one of the forensic fingerprint analysts at the Los Angeles Co. Sheriff's Dept., Dale S. Falicon. Then last, Dr. Lynn Herold. Dr. Herold will be the witness that puts Spector's white ladies jacket within 2 to 3 feet of the gun being fired. (Incidentally, Michelle Blaine has stated on her blog that the white jacket was hers and was part of a skirt and jacket suit set.)

If things go smoothly, all that could take four days, maybe five. Then the prosecution rests and the defense puts on their case. It wasn't until one day before the holiday break was to commence that the defense was willing to "hand over" their "real list" of witnesses verses the "fake list." Weinberg has stalled the entire trial despite the many requests by the prosecution. He was legally within his rights, but most attorneys will let the other side know what witnesses they are going to call from their big list; Weinberg just chose not to be accommodating to the prosecution. You could call this one of Weinberg's "gamesmanship" tactics.

I can't wait to find out if Weinberg "did" turn over to the prosecution his discovery on Dr. Seiden, the suicidologist as ordered. He was supposed to do that by the end of the day, Dec 23rd, the day he was up in the Bay area, representing Dr. Ayres, on trial for child molestation. You can read up on the status of Weinberg's other client, here.

Considering the typical delays, this trial is proceeding ahead. If you have any extra time off over the holidays, there are plenty of seats in the courtroom. The Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center is an older building built in the 1960's. It's located at 210 W. Temple and takes up the entire block between Broadway and Main Street. Judge Fidler's courtroom is on the 9th floor, Department 106. After you clear the 9th floor security area, turn to your left. 106 is at the very end of the hall on the far right. Fidler usually starts his court at 9:30 am. Court is scheduled to start on January 5th at 9:00 am to hear motions outside the presence of the jury.

Where to Park: Most parking within a block west or south of the courthouse runs about $16 to $18.00 for all day. There are two $9.00 a day lots two and a half blocks directly south. One is on the west side of Main Street and the other is on the west side of Broadway.

Public Transportation: If you are near a Metro rail or subway line I highly recommend taking public transportation. The courthouse is one block away from the Civic Center station on the Red Line. When you exit the red line, head for the Temple Street escalators. Once you reach the street, walk through the Court of Flags plaza and down the steps in the center of Broadway. You will clearly see the rear entrance to the building from the stairs.