Saks quoted in ‘LA Times’ on Spector trial expert witness testimony

08/22/2007

Saks quoted in 'LA Times' on Spector trial expert witness testimony

Professor Michael Saks       Michael Saks, professor of law and psychology and faculty fellow at the Center for the Study of Law, Science, & Technology recently was quoted in the Los Angeles Times in an article written by Peter Y. Hong and headlined “Forensics key in Spector trial.”      The article explores the validity of expert witness testimony in the second-degree murder trial of singer, songwriter and producer Phil Spector who is charged with the 2003 shooting death of Lana Clarkson in his home.  The conflicting testimony given by defense and prosecuting team expert forensic witnesses has led to questions being raised about how impartial forensic experts are.      “Defense lawyers interview the experts in advance,” Saks told the Times. “If their views are not compatible with the defense’s take, that’s the end of that expert as far as the case is concerned.”      The same goes for the prosecution’s side, which is supported by police crime labs, manned by scientists who often “know the prosecutors and become friends.”      Saks’ view is that the justice system may be better served by independent government crime laboratories providing findings, rather than by expert witnesses that have been selected to support either the defense’s or prosecution’s case.      Read the article at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-science2aug02,1,1518858.story?ctrack=2&cset=true.