The director of the current screen blockbuster Transformers testified August 6 at the murder trial of Phil Spector.

Prosecutors called Michael Bay as a rebuttal witness at the trial of the famous music producer, who stands accused of fatally shooting actress Lana Clarkson in February, 2003.

A defense witness had earlier testified that Clarkson was distraught over an encounter with Bay at a party about 10 days before she was found dead at Spector's home. Spector's attorneys contend it indicated depression, which culminated in her suicide.

Bay testified he cast Clarkson in a 1998 car commercial, but denied seeing her among the 350 to 400 guests at the Hollywood Hills party in late January, 2003. "If I disrespected her she probably would have slapped me," he said. "She was just that saucy."

Clarkson's friend Punkin Pie Laughlin testified last month that she accompanied Clarkson to the party. She said Clarkson, who starred in the 1985 cult film Barbarian Queen, was in tears after Bay failed to acknowledge her. Laughlin suggested the incident contributed to Clarkson's depression.

The prosecution contends the 67-year-old Spector killed Clarkson after she tried to leave his home after coming there for a drink. Under questioning from prosecutor Alan Jackson, Bay said he last remembered seeing Clarkson eight or nine months before her death, but could not recall the circumstances.

Defense attorney Brad Brunon noted that Bay did several movies after meeting Clarkson. Asked whether he ever offered her a role, Bay snapped "no, but I never offered Tom Hanks a part either."

Bay recalled receiving a Christmas 2002 gift from Clarkson containing chocolates and a one-woman videotape she had produced to promote her career. Asked by Brunon whether he watched the video, Bay said "I didn't even look at it." // Voice of America

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