Pathologist Smears His Own Reputation

Dr. Michael Baden has a superb reputation as a pathologist in this country. He has also become known nationwide because of his HBO show Autopsy. So it looked like a real coup for the defense team of music producer Phil Spector when the pathologist came up with last minute evidence in the case. Spector is accused of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.

Frankly, it was beginning to look like Spector was about to be found guilty of murder, at least until the famous pathologist decided at the last minute that he had new evidence. Baden now claims that Clarkson may not have died instantly. He says she could have coughed on Spector while he was trying to help her. This would explain blood spatter on Spector's clothing.

But the prosecution doesn't believe his testimony passes the smell test, and neither do I. Baden was present at the initial autopsy performed on Clarkson. How is it that he missed these findings until the defense was almost ready to rest its case?

But perhaps most damning is the fact that Baden is married to one of Spector's defense attorney's. It certainly looks like he's coming in at the last minute to save the case for his wife, when ethically he shouldn't even be involved in the case.

You can bet the defense would be screaming to high heaven if a prosecutor brought in his own spouse as an expert witness. Yet they don't seem to see the ethical quandry when they do it themselves.

I used to have a lot of respect for Dr. Michael Baden, but his involvement and behavior in this trial has destroyed that. He is old enough and experienced enough to know better.