The Pellicano Trial: Trouble Brews For Those Who Get In Bed With Each Other

Posted by Eriq Gardner

The Anthony Pellicano wiretapping trial has amped up again, with the ex-gumshoe being accused of suggesting murder and intervening in a lover's quarrel.

Adam Sender, a hedge fund manager, told jurors that he invested $1.1 million in a production company run by Aaron Russo, a producer and one-time Nevada gubernatorial candidate. That deal went sour, and Sender sued Russo. After the lawsuit was filed, Sender met with Pellicano, who told him, according to yesterday's testimony, that "If I wanted to I could authorize him to have (Russo) murdered on the way back from Las Vegas, have someone follow him back, drive him off the road and bury his body somewhere in the desert."

Earlier in the day, prosecutors put Sandra Carradine on the stand and played multiple taped conversations she had with Pellicano. The two dated for a while, and Sandra Carradine testified that she hired Mr. Pellicano to investigate ex-husband, actor Keith Carradine.

Carradine testified that she knew of Pellicano's wiretapping, and that the two discussed ways to find some legitimate explanation for how he got the information. This could be important in showing Pellicano's awareness that he knew he was committing a crime.

Pellicano's cross-examination of the two witnesses didn't impress. To Sender, he asked whether a passing statement about murder might have been misinterpreted. To Carradine, he asked whether she had lied to him about speaking about the wiretapping at the grand jury. He apparently hopes the jury buys that he likes to joke around and that all those who betrayed him can't be trusted.