Defense Puzzles Prosecution : Actress’ Son Admitted Killing Her, Attorney Reveals

Puzzling the prosecution, a defense attorney revealed during a murder trial Tuesday that a 25-year-old Encino man had confessed to slaying his mother, actress Susan Cabot--a confession the prosecution was unable to use.

Timothy Scott Roman told police he and his mother had been arguing on the night of Dec. 10, 1986, when she came at him with a scalpel, Detective Philip Quartararo testified in Van Nuys Superior Court.

Roman told police he took the scalpel from his mother and hit her on the head with a dumbbell in self-defense, Quartararo said. “He said he didn’t remember how many times he hit her,” he testified.

Quartararo’s testimony came during cross-examination by Roman’s attorney, Chester Leo Smith. It was the first time in the week-long trial that a witness testified that Roman had admitted the slaying.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Bradford E. Stone said outside the courtroom that Roman’s confession was not used by the prosecution because it was offered after the defendant had asked to speak to an attorney, which under court rulings made it inadmissible.

Stone said he could not explain why Roman’s own attorney would want to put the confession on the record, unless it was for some unknown tactical reason.

Smith could not be reached for comment.

Last week jurors heard a tape recording of detectives interviewing Roman about the slaying of his 59-year-old mother, a leading actress in 1950s action movies. During the 90-minute interview, Roman denied killing his mother. “I had nothing to do with it. I swear to God!” he shouted to his interrogators.

Treated at Hospital

At the conclusion of the interview, Roman asked to speak with an attorney.

Under Smith’s questioning, Quartararo testified Tuesday that after Roman was interviewed by police he was taken to Humana Hospital-West Hills, where he was treated for minor injuries he said were sustained during a fight with a burglar.

Police testified earlier that officers found no evidence that anyone had broken into the house.

Quartararo said Roman admitted killing his mother after they left the hospital and were returning to the Encino home the defendant shared with his mother. At the house, Roman showed police where he hid the weapons used during the fight, Quartararo testified. The scalpel, a knife and a dumbbell were found inside a detergent box in the laundry room, Quartararo said.

Charged with first-degree murder, but without the special conditions that could bring the death penalty, Roman faces a possible life term in prison.

He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. If he is convicted, his insanity claim will be heard by the same jury.