Posted on 03/17/2007 12:57:28 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
For decades, famed music producer Phil Spector was a recluse, hiding in his hilltop suburban castle. Then, a glamorous actress who starred in a cult movie was shot and killed there, and he could no longer run from the Hollywood spotlight.
"'I think I killed somebody,'" Spector was quoted by his chauffeur, Adriano De Souza, who also told a grand jury that Spector had emerged from his mansion holding a gun, with blood on his hands.
"What happened sir?" De Souza said he asked.
"'I don't know,'" Spector responded.
On Monday, the search begins for a jury to decide if Spector, 66, is guilty of murdering Lana Clarkson on Feb. 3, 2003, after taking her home with him from the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip.
Testimony will follow later this spring, as jurors try to unravel conflicting evidence about what happened before police found Clarkson slumped dead in a chair in the foyer, her teeth blown out by a gunshot to her mouth.
The coroner's office called it a homicide - "death by the hand of another" - but also noted that Clarkson had gunshot residue on both of her hands and may have pulled the trigger.
In an e-mail to friends, Spector called the death "an accidental suicide." He has pleaded not guilty and remained free on $1 million bail since being arrested after the shooting. He faces life in prison if convicted.
Attorney Bruce Cutler said his defense will be simple: "He didn't shoot this woman."
"Everything in this case is consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Cutler said. "The cause of death is not at issue. the manner of death is the question."
Cutler has been careful not to call the death a suicide.
"There was no malice, no motive, no intent, no homicide, no crime," he said. "If it had happened in any other home, there would have been no charges."
The prosecution theory of the case, outlined during grand jury proceedings, is that Spector deliberately placed a gun in Clarkson's mouth and pulled the trigger. Prosecutors claimed he had threatened women with guns in the past but never been charged.
Spector's "wall of sound" recording technique revolutionized rock music in the 1960s. He also produced the "Let It Be" album by the Beatles and "Concert for Bangladesh" by George Harrison, and has been cited as an influence by Bruce Springsteen and countless other artists.
Spector also wrote such rock classics as "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Be My Baby," "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling" and "River Deep-Mountain High," although his name is rarely mentioned along with the artists who recorded the songs.
Clarkson was 40 when she died and best known as the star of Roger Corman's cult film "Barbarian Queen." She was working as a hostess at the House of Blues when she went home with Spector. Authorities were called when the chauffeur heard a gunshot.
The prosecutors assigned to the case, Alan Jackson and Pat Dixon, recently won the conviction of Michael Goodwin in the 19-year-old murders of racing legend Mickey Thompson and his wife, Trudy. That cold case, based on circumstantial evidence, was considered a significant challenge.
Cutler, assessing his opponents as "a formidable duo," has lined up a strong defense team.
His co-counsel is Roger Rosen, whose trials include the "Twilight Zone" case in which director John Landis and four others were acquitted of manslaughter in 1983 in the deaths of three people during filming of the movie.
Cutler also enlisted forensic expert Robert Blasier, who worked with the O.J. Simpson defense team.
Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler, rejecting protests from Spector's lawyers, decided to let the trial be televised when testimony begins.
While making the ruling, the judge said he doesn't expect the same media hysteria that surrounded the O.J. Simpson trial 12 years ago on the same floor of the downtown courthouse.
He believes the time has come for the public to see trials on TV rather than rely only on reports from commentators.
"If it had not been for Simpson, we'd be there now," the judge said
On March 19 and 20, Fidler will summon 300 prospective jurors to his courtroom. With Spector seated in the defendant's chair, the panelists will be asked if they can serve in what promises to be a high-profile trial.
Time will be an issue, since the proceedings could last three months. Those who say they can serve will fill out questionnaires then be sent home for a few weeks while lawyers study their answers and file final motions.
On April 16, the prospects will return for in-court questioning known as "voir dire" in which they will be asked by lawyers if the can give Spector a fair trial, among other questions. A jury is expected to be seated by April 30, when opening statements are set to begin and cameras will roll.
Spector's appearance may rivet TV audiences. His theatrical attire usually includes three-inch-high boots, frock coats and outlandish wigs.
Unlike the Simpson trial, where jurors' familiarity with the celebrity defendant was a huge issue, Spector's musical legacy may be dusty enough to escape notice by most prospective jurors.
The celebrity factor is likely to be minimal because only older people will remember Spector.
Defense attorneys might prefer a sympathetic, star-struck jury, if not for the fact that older jurors are usually more conservative and prosecution-oriented, said Loyola Law School Professor Laurie Levenson.
"The defense may want music fans who have an appreciation for Phil Spector's mark on music history," she said. "But there won't be many of those in the jury pool, not even in Tinseltown."
Music producer Phil Spector (L) and actress Lana Clarkson are shown in this combination photograph March 16, 2007. The sensational murder trial of pioneering rock producer Phil Spector finally gets underway on March 19, 2007 more than four years after Clarkson, a B-movie actress, was found shot to death at his faux castle outside Los Angeles. REUTERS/Files
Music producer Phil Spector, charged with fatally shooting actress Lana Clarkson, appears for a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, Sept. 26, 2005. For decades, famed music producer Phil Spector was a recluse, hiding in his hilltop castle from the Hollywood spotlight. Then a B-movie actress was shot and killed there, and Spector could no longer avoid the headlines. In the four years since the death of Lana Clarkson, Spector and his lawyers have claimed that she shot herself, either in an accident or a suicide. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
Wasn't he known for threatening musicians at gunpoint? A sad and disturbing end to an admittedly great career.
...is it just me....but those eyes....OMG...scary....
Opening statements are starting today on this. What I want to know is why are they wasting taxpayer dollars? It`s California, he is a celebrity...Just skip he whole trial, declare him not guilty, and be done with it.
Have been listening/watching prosecutor’s opening statement.
I have a good feeling about this trial. Cannot understand why it has taken 4 years to try this moron.
Believe Spector is not going to have the same dumb jury/luck as O.J. Simpson, Robert Blake and whoever drowned Natalie Wood.
IMHO
“””The coroner’s office called it a homicide - “death by the hand of another” - but also noted that Clarkson had gunshot residue on both of her hands and may have pulled the trigger. “””
A pattern of behavior has been described by 1/2 dozen women he had previously threatened with guns, under similar circumstances - he had probably shoved the gun in her mouth and Clarkson was trying to grab the gun out of his hands when he pulled the trigger.
Accidental suicide - he is nuts!
“””Like I said, it`s California and he is a celebrity””
I’m pretty sure this piece of cheese is going to be fondued.
$10 down;)
sod
Have only been watching this trial in dribs and drabs. But it’s interesting. Is the defense up already? Heard Henry Lee the other day. Didn’t understand him, but heard him.
Yesterday heard the prosecutors going after the driver. Guy sounded honest. Maybe you’re right and they’re going to get Spector. But i think he’ll get off with a light sentence. Then again, my predictions are like Charles Barkleys.
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