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.

Deadly Circumstances

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.

But they don't think it was unusual that she went home with Spector, since Lana was trying to branch out into a music career.

Spector created the "wall of sound" production technique prominent in many rock 'n' roll songs, and worked with many of its luminaries, including The Righteous Brothers, The Beatles, Tina Turner, Cher, The Ramones and Duran Duran.

"Most of the time, when you're a musician, you're up all night. And you know, you socialize at night," Donna said. "I'm sure she was wanting to show her showcase to whoever wanted to see it . … Music was a fascination she hadn't conquered yet."

Lasting Memory

Fawn and Donna complain Lana has often been described in media reports as a "B-movie" actress. They feel her memory has unfairly come under attack.

They say she was much more -- a loving daughter and caring sister with a 20-year career as a working actress -- and this is why they decided to speak out.

"I want to support everyone in trying to make this fair," Donna said. "It's for Lana."

Donna says her daughter is still fresh in her mind. She said of the experience of learning of Lana's death, "it's just like it was a moment ago."

"I feel like she's going to come in the door any minute … that she'll be here any moment, and I haven't been able to turn her cell phone off," she said.

She said the last words her daughter said to her were: "'I love you, Mom. Thank you, Mom.'"

Saving Souls

Donna Clarkson says if she could talk to Spector, she would tell him "to tell the truth, for our souls."

"I would tell Mr. Spector that the most important thing for him is to preserve his own soul," she said. "I want him to look at his soul and what he needs to do to preserve it for himself."

Donna said she would pray for Spector, and pray for strength and have faith that "God has a bigger picture and that vengeance is not for me. Truth is for me."

Donna Clarkson has kept her daughter's Web site running for the two years since she was killed. It is www.livingdollproductions.com.