Quote:

 

L.A. jury finds Spector guilty of 2nd-degree murder
Music producer's 2007 trial ended with jury deadlock
Last Updated: Monday, April 13, 2009 | 5:54 PM ET Comments36Recommend56CBC News
A jury in Los Angeles found music producer Phil Spector guilty of second-degree murder in the death of an actress who died in his California home.

Phil Spector wipes his eyes as the verdict is read at his trial in Los Angeles on Monday. (Al Seib/Associated Press)Spector was charged with second-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of Lana Clarkson, 40, who was found dead in a chair inside his home with a gunshot wound through the roof of her mouth.

Spector showed no reaction, but his young wife, Rachelle, sobbed as the verdict was read. His lawyer argued that he should remain free on bail pending the May 29 sentencing, but Judge Larry Paul Fidler remanded him to jail immediately.

Clarkson starred in the 1985 cult film Barbarian Queen and also worked as a hostess.

The jury of six men and six women went into deliberations on March 26 and reached its verdict Monday at 2 p.m. PT. In between, there were repeated interruptions, including juror illnesses.

With the second-degree murder conviction, Spector, 69, could receive a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Fidler gave the jury the option of convicting or acquitting Spector of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter.

During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Spector as a "demonic maniac" and "a very dangerous man" around women, while the jury heard testimony from five women who said Spector threatened them with a handgun.

"This case is about a man who has had a history of playing Russian roulette with the lives of women," Deputy District Attorney Truc Do said in her closing argument last month. "Five women got the empty chamber. Lana got the sixth bullet."

Spector's lawyers argued the prosecution's case was based on circumstantial evidence, while contending Clarkson took her own life in despair over her failed acting career.

Spector's first trial ended in 2007 with a 10-2 jury deadlock. The majority favoured conviction.

Spector is widely considered a legendary figure in the music industry for his "Wall of Sound" recording technique.

With files from the Associated Press

Gummy

Apr 13 2009, 09:10 PM

He'll look cute with a pair of tits tattooed on his back.

Ltpondwater9

Apr 13 2009, 09:12 PM

Gummy

Apr 13 2009, 09:10 PM

He'll look cute with a pair of tits tattooed on his back.

I was thinking more of a bullseye around his ass.