Phil Spector's Claim Called 'Preposterous'

Jan. 12, 2005 -- -- When he goes on trial later this year for the 2003 shooting death of Lana Clarkson, legendary record producer Phil Spector is expected to claim the actress committed suicide during a predawn visit to his home. But in an exclusive interview with ABC News, Clarkson's family calls that "ridiculous."

"That's preposterous," said Fawn Clarkson, Lana's sister. "I've known my sister my whole life and there's no way she committed suicide.

Watch John Quiñones' exclusive interview on 'Primetime Live' on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.

"She was going to take me to go see the movie 'Chicago,'" Fawn said. "That's ridiculous."

Donna Clarkson, Lana's mother, told ABC News' John Quiñones: "My answer to 'Did she kill herself?' is 'Of course not.'"

Asked if they believe Spector is guilty, Donna Clarkson said, "I think the evidence will speak for itself -- and in my heart I know the truth. I know my daughter.

"I'd like Mr. Spector to tell the truth," she added. "I'd like him to tell everyone what happened."

Spector was charged with murder in November, but the complaint did not specify whether prosecutors will seek a first- or second-degree murder conviction. He pleaded not guilty and has been free on $1 million bail.

Early on Feb. 3, 2003, Clarkson was found fatally shot in the face at Spector's mansion near Los Angeles. Clarkson, 40, had met Spector, now 64, hours earlier at the House of Blues, where she had been working as a hostess.

Both Clarkson's mother and sister say Lana had felt uncomfortable taking a hostess job, when she had previously had some success as an actress.

She had appeared in hit shows like "Three's Company," "The Jeffersons," "The A-Team," "Knight Rider" and "Night Court." Low-budget film director Roger Corman even built a series of movies around her called "Barbarian Queen."

"She didn't want people to know she was working there, that she had to have a regular job," said Fawn Clarkson.

"She was actually a little embarrassed that here she was, because she'd always worked as an actor," Donna Clarkson said.