Lee strikes back
Famous forensic scientist Henry Lee sent an e-mail to the Times last night blasting accusations he kept evidence from prosecutors. "I have all the documentation and records pertaining to what I did and what I collected at the scene," he said. "If necessary, I can and will make it public to protect my good name and my professional reputation." Lee testified at a hearing before Judge Fidler ruled last week Lee did not turn over a fingernail-sized object to prosecutors. Deputy D.A. Patrick Dixon said the item was a piece of Lana Clarkson's fingernail, blown off by a bullet when she put her hand in front of her face to defend herself. It could show she did not shoot herself, Dixon said. Prior to sending the e-mail last night, Lee had not responded to requests for comment from the Times.
Times story:
Text of statement from Dr Henry Lee: Dr. Henry Lee is currently traveling abroad on a lecture tour in Italy. He has made the following statement regarding the recent slanderous and incorrect news reports of him removing and withholding evidence related to the Spector case. “1. Numerous police officers, detectives, crime scene investigators and forensic scientists from The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and L.A. Coroner’s Office conducted detailed searches of a small area in the foyer of Mr. Spector’s house on February 3rd and 4th, 2003, for about 38 hours. It is impossible for that large of a group to have missed a fingernail or a tooth. Dr. Michael Baden and I arrived at Mr. Spector’s house at approximately 9:00 pm on February 4, 2003, after the police had left and released the scene. 2. One prosecution witness, a former L.A. detective, accused me of finding a red-colored fingernail and putting that nail in my handkerchief. A second witness said Dr. Baden and Sara Caplan found a tooth and took it from the scene. Sara Caplan said that I found a white-colored object, similar to a fingernail-size object, and subsequently placed that object in a test tube. There are obvious and major discrepancies related to conflicting observations among the witnesses. In addition, there is no evidence that anyone involved in this case lost a fingernail. Lana Clarkson only has a small chip on one of her cream-colored, acrylic artificial fingernails. The minute size of a potential chip and the color of her actual nails are completely different than what the witness said about the alleged fingernail located at the scene. 3. As I stated several times before, I did not find a fingernail nor did I take any fingernail-like material from the scene. What I found was two small bundles of white thread-like fibers imbedded in blood. These two pieces of fiber were documented in my notes and photographed before and after collection. The materials were packaged, labeled and sealed in an evidence bag. Copies of my notes and photographs were sent and reviewed by four sets of defense lawyers and members of The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office over the past four years. What I have collected, the so-called “evidence” from a “released scene” has also been turned over to The L.A. County Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory for examination. My original notes, photographs and even the negatives were all given to the L.A. District Attorney’s Office. There is no basis whatsoever for anyone to accuse me or Dr. Baden of concealing evidence in this case. 4. I do not know why my Chinese accent has become an issue in this case. I am proud of my heritage and certainly see no relevance between it and the matter at hand. I have always believed that our justice system is committed to seeking the truth and all of the relevant facts. The fact remains clear that there was no fingernail at the scene. It is clear the motive for this slanderous attack is a tactic to kill the messenger before the message is delivered. I have all the documentation and records pertaining to what I did and what I collected at the scene. If necessary, I can and will make it public to protect my good name and my professional reputation. I have also contacted my personal attorneys to look into the legal issues regarding these unjustified, slanderous, false accusations, and the damage that I will likely incur as a result of these unjust misrepresentations.”
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spector/2007/05/lee_strikes_bac.html