The US:A waitress, who had told the jury in Phil Spector's murder trial that he was fatherly and protective, recounted an incident in which the record producer suddenly appeared with a rifle or shotgun to escort her and a friend out of his mansion, saying it was for her protection.
Kathy Sullivan told the Los Angeles court she initially thought it was silly for him to escort them to a car with a gun, and that he looked like the cartoon character Elmer Fudd when he came downstairs with the weapon while wearing plaid.
The jury was sent out while she said she had told investigators that "it was the funniest picture in the whole wide world" but also testified that once she and her friend drove away she remarked: "I'm so glad we're out of there."
The surprise account by Ms Sullivan, who worked at one of Spector's favourite restaurants, was allowed by superior court judge Larry Paul Fidler after a hearing in which the prosecutor Alan Jackson argued that it was markedly different from the image of a paternalistic Spector that had been left with the jury. Defence lawyer Roger Rosen argued that the incident was not relevant and was prejudicial. But Mr Jackson said it was evidence that Spector had immediate access to weapons at home.
Spector is accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in the foyer of his mansion.
Clarkson died of a gunshot through the mouth in the early hours of February 3rd, 2003. Spector's defence claims she shot herself. Four other women have testified Spector threatened them with guns in the preceding years.