Streeter: What about – did she ever mention Phil Spector or Phillip in any of those? Cohen: Yes, she accused me of – she accused me of testifying before a Secret Grand Jury which resulted in the conviction of Mr. Spector. Streeter: Do you know Mr. Spector? Cohen: I knew him. He produced a record of songs that we wrote together. It was in 1977. Streeter: But you had no dealings with him since then; is that right? Cohen: No, I don’t believe – I haven’t seen him. I don’t remember if it was ’77 or ’78 that the record came out. But since then, no, I have had no contact with him. RT 56-57 [See Mick Brown's emails below confirming that Leonard Cohen's testimony/statements were presented to the Phil Spector jurors.]
EXCERPT FROM LEONARD COHEN'S 2001 BBC RADIO INTERVIEW [HE STATES THAT HE RECENTLY SPOKE TO PHIL SPECTOR]
Leonard Cohen: He’s [Phil Spector] not mad
any longer, I’ve spoken to him on the phone recently, he’s really quite
reasonable and calm, but we were, you know, I was flipped out at the time …
THE PROSECUTOR IN KELLEY LYNCH'S ALLEGED TRIAL [WHERE DA STEVE COOLEY, WHO PROSECUTED PHIL SPECTOR, PUBLICLY ALIGNED HIMSELF WITH LEONARD COHEN] ELICITED THE TESTIMONY ABOUT PHIL SPECTOR FROM COHEN
Streeter: Do you
recall if also in that voice mail message there was any mention of Phil
Spector? Cohen: Yes, Phil Spector’s name was mentioned. Cohen:
And his attorneys; is that right?
Cohen: I believe so. Streeter:
Now, is the discussion of Phil Spector something that is common in the
voice mail messages that Ms. Lynch has left you? Cohen:
It’s almost routine. RT 157-158 Streeter:
What about the email messages that Ms. Lynch has sent you, particularly
in the time period of February 2011 to February 2012? Is the topic of Mr. Spector a common topic? Is
the topic of Mr. Spector a common topic?
Cohen: Yes, it is. Streeter:
Would you say that that is almost routine as well? Cohen:
Yes, it is. Streeter: Did you have any involvement in the Phil
Spector trial? Cohen: None, whatsoever. RT 158 Cohen:
May I qualify that?
Streeter: Yes. Cohen:
At the very beginning of the trial, after the – the death of Lana
Clarkson was made public, I was visited by two Sheriffs from the LA
County. And they interviewed me as to my
relationship with Phil Spector. My
attorney, Mr. Cron, was present at the time.
[Steve Cron was my attorney;
Cohen later testifies that “an attorney” was present.] I told the detectives that Phil Spector
had produced an album of mine in 1977, and they asked me about some stories
that were circulating in the newspaper about his use of guns in the studio. I
told them of my experience. Then they
asked me when I’d last seen Phil Spector.
I said the last I’d seen him was shortly after the record was released,
which I think was 1977 or 1978, and I hadn’t seen him since. When they discovered that I hadn’t seen him
since, they were no longer interested in interviewing me and left. So that has some connection I did have with
the trial. Subsequent to that, I’ve had
nothing to do with the trial whatsoever.
Streeter: Now, when you spoke to
the detectives do you know where Ms. Lynch was?
Cohen: My attorney, Mr. Cron,
asked Ms. Lynch to leave the room, so that I think the attorney/client
privilege would not be challenged.
Streeter: But she was somewhere
around? Cohen: She was in my house. RT 159
LEONARD COHEN PERJURED HIMSELF. HE WAS NOT A RECIPIENT OF THE APRIL 18, 2011 EMAIL AND THE PROSECUTOR WILLFULLY CONCEALED THE 5.44 AM EMAIL ABOUT LEGITIMATE TAX MATTERS AND DIRECTED TO THE IRS COMMISSIONER'S STAFF
Streeter: And do you
remember when the trial from Mr. Spector happened? Was it before or after Ms. Lynch left your
employ? Cohen: I think it was during that period. I’m not sure.
Streeter: But it was around the
same time. Cohen: Yes.
Streeter: And prior to her
leaving your employ, you had no contact with anybody else on that case; is that
right? Cohen: Oh, no, none whatsoever. Streeter:
Now, you mentioned that she would also mention, talk about Mr. Spector
in the emails. I’m going to show – ask
you a couple of questions about those emails.
Do you recall getting an email from Ms. Lynch on approximately April 18,
2011 at about 5.44 AM? Cohen: I know that occasionally there were some very
early calls. Streeter: This is an email message. Cohen:
I would have to be refreshed. RT
160
Streeter: I have
People’s 13. Now, thinking back to the
emails that you received from Ms. Lynch about Mr. Spector, would she use his
whole name or would she use part of his name, or did it vary? Cohen:
It varied, but I think it was usually Phil Spector … Occasionally when
she spoke of him as someone she knew well, I think she would call him Phillip. Streeter:
I’m going to show you an email.
It’s – April 18, 2011. I misspoke. It’s at 8.11 AM. Just look at the first page on the date. See if that refreshes your recollection. Let me know when you’ve done. Cohen:
Yes Ma’am. Streeter: Did – does that refresh your recollection as
to whether or not you received an email on April 18, 2011 at approximately 8.11
AM in the morning. Cohen: Yes, this is the email I received. Streeter:
See if that email helps you recall whether or not there was any mention
of either a Phil, a Phillip, or Phil Spector in the email. Cohen:
In this particular email, Mr. Spector is called Phillip. Streeter:
Okay. And on what page is the
email? What page is the mention of Mr.
Spector? Cohen: I haven’t studied the whole email, but it
begins on the first page. Streeter: How many pages is that particular email, Mr.
Cohen? Cohen: Seven pages … Streeter: Is your name mentioned in any way with
Phillip, Mr. Cohen? Cohen: Yes.
It says, Cohen told me Phillip never held a gun on him, and that would
support what he told LAPD. RT
160-161
Streeter: Is there any mention of a Dennis Riordan in
that email? Cohen: Yes, I believe there is. Streeter:
… Is Mr. Riordan one of the recipients?
Is there, like, Dennis – Cohen:
He’s the first recipient. RT
237 Streeter: What’s the first name that appears on that
email? Cohen: It’s Dennis Riordan. Streeter:
Okay. Does it say Dennis Riordan
or Mr. Riordan? Cohen: It says dennis@riordan-horgan.com … Streeter:
Who’s the name on the first line of the text – the actual text of the
email? Cohen: Mr. Riordan.
PD: Object to relevance. Court:
Overruled. RT 237-238 Streeter:
And what is the subject line of this email, Mr. Cohen? Cohen:
One hapless toad who chose not to live in California has more rights
than Phillip. Streeter: And that Phillip, is that the Phillip, Phil
Spector? PD: Objection; speculation. Court:
Sustained. RT 238
Streeter:
Now I want you to look at the first page of the email and see if there
is any mention of the District Attorney or Steve Cooley in there? Cohen:
Yes, there are many mentions. RT 240
LEONARD COHEN CROSS-EXAMINATION RE. HIS PHIL SPECTOR GUN STORIES
PD: Now, I want to talk to you about what
you mean by threatened. You actually -- you were telling us about Phil
Spector. You were testifying about talking to the LAPD. Cohen: Yes, Sir.
PD: And you talked to the LAPD with your attorney, correct? Cohen: With an attorney present, yes, Sir. PD: And that’s when you asked that – or your attorney – someone asked that Ms. Lynch leave? Cohen: The attorney asked that Ms. Lynch leave. PD: So when Ms. Lynch left, you started talking about an interview or story about Phil Spector, correct? Cohen: Correct. PD: And how he would oftentimes have guns when you were producing an album, correct? He would have guns in the studio when he was producing an album with you? Cohen: That’s correct. PD: And, in fact, one time you told the detective that, quote – Well, before I go there, was Mr. Spector -- was he drunk at the time when he had these guns? Cohen: I don’t remember, Sir. PD: Was he hostile at the time? Cohen: Not to me. PD: Okay. But he actually put a gun to your head? Is that correct? Cohen: That’s correct. PD: It was a revolver? Cohen: No, it wasn’t a revolver. It was an automatic. PD: But you weren’t actually -- you didn’t feel threatened when he put a gun to your head? Cohen: No, Sir. RT 308-309 [SEE COHEN'S EMAIL TO PROSECUTOR WITH A DIFFERENT VERSION OF THE GUN INCIDENT; SEE ALSO THE DA'S MOTION IN LIMINE USING AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT VERSION OF THE PHIL SPECTOR GUN INCIDENT. THE GUN - EITHER A SEMI-AUTOMATIC OR AUTOMATIC; CROSS BOW IN OTHER VERSIONS; AND INTERCHANGEABLE BODY PARTS - HEAD, NECK, CHEST]
PD: And you talked to the LAPD with your attorney, correct? Cohen: With an attorney present, yes, Sir. PD: And that’s when you asked that – or your attorney – someone asked that Ms. Lynch leave? Cohen: The attorney asked that Ms. Lynch leave. PD: So when Ms. Lynch left, you started talking about an interview or story about Phil Spector, correct? Cohen: Correct. PD: And how he would oftentimes have guns when you were producing an album, correct? He would have guns in the studio when he was producing an album with you? Cohen: That’s correct. PD: And, in fact, one time you told the detective that, quote – Well, before I go there, was Mr. Spector -- was he drunk at the time when he had these guns? Cohen: I don’t remember, Sir. PD: Was he hostile at the time? Cohen: Not to me. PD: Okay. But he actually put a gun to your head? Is that correct? Cohen: That’s correct. PD: It was a revolver? Cohen: No, it wasn’t a revolver. It was an automatic. PD: But you weren’t actually -- you didn’t feel threatened when he put a gun to your head? Cohen: No, Sir. RT 308-309 [SEE COHEN'S EMAIL TO PROSECUTOR WITH A DIFFERENT VERSION OF THE GUN INCIDENT; SEE ALSO THE DA'S MOTION IN LIMINE USING AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT VERSION OF THE PHIL SPECTOR GUN INCIDENT. THE GUN - EITHER A SEMI-AUTOMATIC OR AUTOMATIC; CROSS BOW IN OTHER VERSIONS; AND INTERCHANGEABLE BODY PARTS - HEAD, NECK, CHEST]
LEONARD COHEN BELIEVED DA STEVE COOLEY WAS READING THE ALLEGED EMAILS & THE PROSECUTOR DID NOT WANT HIM TO ANSWER IF HE FELT THE IRS WAS READING THE ALLEGED EMAILS
Leonard Cohen Cross: Now, you know all of
these recipients? No, sir. And did you think that these other
recipients were reading every single email? Some of them were and some of
them weren’t. Do you think Steve Cooley was reading all of these emails?
I wouldn’t be surprised if he was. Okay. But you don’t know? No,
sir. Do you believe that he was? I believe that people close to him
were. Do you believe that the IRS was reading every single one of these
emails? Streeter: Objection; relevance. Court:
Sustained. May I be heard your honor? Court: No.
(RT 305)
Case Number: BA255233
Case Title: People vs. Phillip Spector
Case Title: People vs. Phillip Spector
| 02/17/2005 04:18 pm | Motion in Limine to admit evidence of other crimes:memorandum of points and authorities in support therof |
MICK BROWN'S EMAILS RE. LEONARD COHEN & PHIL SPECTOR'S GRAND JURY STATEMENTS OR TESTIMONY:
Mick Brown Email to Nikhil Ramnaney
April 10, 2012
Dear Nikhil Ramnaney,
Thank you for your letter. I’m afraid there has been a misunderstanding here. At the time, I was writing my book about Phil Spector I was sent copies of material that, as I understood it, had been submitted to the Grand Jury in the Phil Spector case. Included in this material were (short) statements from Leonard Cohen.
I might well have mentioned to Ms. Lynch that these statements were included in materials presented to the Grand Jury. However, I do not recall having stated that Mr. Cohen himself had testified to the Grand Jury. Indeed, I would had no way of knowing whether he had or not. My feeling is that these statements had not been given by Mr. Cohen personally at the time but were actually taken from one or more statements that he had given in the past concerning his recording sessions with Mr. Spector.
I hope this answers your question. If it’s helpful, I shall try to find the original material that was sent to me. If I can be of any more help to you please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Mick BrownFrom: Mick Brown <mick.brown@telegraph.co.uk>
Date: Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 4:18 AM
Subject: Re: Kelley Lynch Trial - Leonard Cohen, Phil Spector
To: Kelley Lynch <kelley.lynch.2010@gmail.com>
Kelley,
I have looked for the documents I was sent in connection with the Grand Jury and been unable to find them. They were sent to me by my friend the journalist and author Carlton Smith, who unfortunately has since passed away. However, I'm sure you would be able to access them from the same source as Carlton did. My understanding is they were/are on the public record.
I do not recall ever saying to you that Cohen himself had testified. If I did, it was my mistake. My recollection is that the statement from Leonard Cohen was the same statement that had already appeared in media interviews, pertaining to the incident in the studio during the recording of 'Death Of A Ladies Man'. My recollection is that it was on a single sheet of paper. I have no idea whether Leonard Cohen personally made this statement to the DA, or whether - and I suspect this is the case - that quote had simply been taken from previously published interviews
There was no mention of any statement attributed to Cohen in either of the two subsequent trials.
Mick
LEONARD COHEN'S EMAIL TO KELLEY LYNCH'S ALLEGED PROSECUTOR
Excerpt
of Prosecutor Sandra Jo Streeter Email to Leonard Cohen
April 5, 2012 at 2:20 PM
7. Did you know Phil Spector? If so, how? Did you testify in front of the grand jury?
Phil Spector produced a record of songs we wrote together in 1977. I have not seen or spoken to him since. I did not testify before a grand jury.
Leonard Cohen Email to Sandra Jo Streeter
April 5, 2012 at 9:31 PM
Dear Ms. Streeter,
This is a short note I prepared for a biographer last year. I know you’ve been burdened with an enormous heap of material, but this rounds off the question you asked about Phil Spector.
Sincerely
L
PHIL SPECTOR
Shortly after t death of Lana Clarkson, I was visited in my home by two detectives from the Homicide Bureau of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Detective Paul Fornier, and Detective Richard Tomlin.
Kelley Lynch thought it would be a good idea to have a lawyer present, so she arranged for attorney Steven M. Cron to be there for the interview. Mr. Cron asked Kelley Lynch to excuse herself, and she left the room.
Apparently the detectives had come across some old interviews I did in 1978 or 1979 in which I spoke of the difficulties of recording Death Of A Lady’s Man with Phil Spector: the brandishing of guns, armed bodyguards, drunkenness, and Phil’s famous megalomania. Even though Phil put his arm around my shoulder and pressed an automatic into my neck, except for the real possibility of an accident, I never at any moment thought that Phil meant to do me harm. In ever felt seriously threatened. I conveyed this to the detectives. I said the incident was repeated in the press over the years, with exaggerations, but it was basically just a good rock ‘n roll story.
Then they asked me when I had last seen Phil Spector.
I said it’s been over 20 years. They were very surprised. They said they were under the impression we were close friends. I said no. Hearing this they thanked me for my time, finished their coffees, and left. It was clear that I was not to be considered a valuable witness.
I was never approached again by anyone concerned with the case. Needless to say, I did not testify before a Grand Jury.
April 5, 2012 at 2:20 PM
7. Did you know Phil Spector? If so, how? Did you testify in front of the grand jury?
Phil Spector produced a record of songs we wrote together in 1977. I have not seen or spoken to him since. I did not testify before a grand jury.
Leonard Cohen Email to Sandra Jo Streeter
April 5, 2012 at 9:31 PM
Dear Ms. Streeter,
This is a short note I prepared for a biographer last year. I know you’ve been burdened with an enormous heap of material, but this rounds off the question you asked about Phil Spector.
Sincerely
L
PHIL SPECTOR
Shortly after t death of Lana Clarkson, I was visited in my home by two detectives from the Homicide Bureau of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Detective Paul Fornier, and Detective Richard Tomlin.
Kelley Lynch thought it would be a good idea to have a lawyer present, so she arranged for attorney Steven M. Cron to be there for the interview. Mr. Cron asked Kelley Lynch to excuse herself, and she left the room.
Apparently the detectives had come across some old interviews I did in 1978 or 1979 in which I spoke of the difficulties of recording Death Of A Lady’s Man with Phil Spector: the brandishing of guns, armed bodyguards, drunkenness, and Phil’s famous megalomania. Even though Phil put his arm around my shoulder and pressed an automatic into my neck, except for the real possibility of an accident, I never at any moment thought that Phil meant to do me harm. In ever felt seriously threatened. I conveyed this to the detectives. I said the incident was repeated in the press over the years, with exaggerations, but it was basically just a good rock ‘n roll story.
Then they asked me when I had last seen Phil Spector.
I said it’s been over 20 years. They were very surprised. They said they were under the impression we were close friends. I said no. Hearing this they thanked me for my time, finished their coffees, and left. It was clear that I was not to be considered a valuable witness.
I was never approached again by anyone concerned with the case. Needless to say, I did not testify before a Grand Jury.
C. The 1977 Brandishing on Leonard Cohen
1977, Spector produced musician Leonard Cohen's record album, "Death of a Ladies man." during production of the record, Cohen and Spector, who were friends, were taking a break in the lobby of the music studio. Spector walked up to Cohen, placed on arm around Cohen's shoulders, and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at Cohen's chest with his other hand. Spector told Cohen, "I love you Leonard." Cohen looked at Spector and said, "I hope so, Phil." Spector then walked away from Cohen.
http://sprocket-trials.blogspot.com/2008/08/phil-spector-prosecutions-motion-to.html
1977, Spector produced musician Leonard Cohen's record album, "Death of a Ladies man." during production of the record, Cohen and Spector, who were friends, were taking a break in the lobby of the music studio. Spector walked up to Cohen, placed on arm around Cohen's shoulders, and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at Cohen's chest with his other hand. Spector told Cohen, "I love you Leonard." Cohen looked at Spector and said, "I hope so, Phil." Spector then walked away from Cohen.
http://sprocket-trials.blogspot.com/2008/08/phil-spector-prosecutions-motion-to.html
