Case For
- As of this point, all of the trial evidence available to the press is circumstantial. There is no public physical proof of Spector's having murdered Clarkson.
- The coroner's own report found gunshot residue on both of Clarkson's hands. This, along with the area of the wound (in the mouth), could indicate a suicide. This would fit in with Spector's claim, at the preliminary hearings, that Clarkson shot herself after "kissing" the gun. The coroner's report does come to the conclusion that the death was a homicide, but this is due to a lack of suicidal behavior by her on the night in question and the absence of a suicide note.
- Then-defense attorney Robert Shapiro has claimed that the prosecution is missing a "secret" item of evidence that Spector's own detectives have since removed from the scene. The defense has refused to turn over the evidence, which is rumored to be a sliver of Clarkson's fingernail covered in gunshot residue.
- Spector, who had never met Clarkson before that night, has no established motive for killing the ex-actress.
Case Against
- Spector's own claims of manslaughter the night of the murder -- to both police and his chauffeur -- have been ruled admissible as evidence by the acting judge in the case.
- Clarkson's blood was found on Spector and several items in his home, which seems to argue against a suicide theory. The producer claims he rolled in the blood accidentally after being tasered by police, but this would not explain the blood on his jacket, which he was not wearing when arrested.
- Spector's own driver reports that both the producer and Clarkson seemed in good spirits that night. There were no reports of an argument. This seems to indicate an accidental shooting (that is, manslaughter).
- The coroner's report indicates that Spector was holding the gun when it went off, although the weapon, registered to neither he nor Clarkson, was wiped clean of fingerprints before police found it. Unless some other person can be proven to have been in the home that night, and with suicide unlikely, Spector naturally must be the prime suspect.
