Phil Spector: New jury hears argument in murder retrial : Netglimse.com News

Phil Spector: New jury hears argument in murder retrial

There is a new turn in murder case of Phil Spector, the famous music producer. On Wednesday a prosecutor has portrayed Phil Spector as a man who over and over again threatened women with guns and could become "very sinister, very violent and very deadly" when he was drunk.

The opening statement by prosecutor Alan Jackson in the retrial of Phil Spector on a murder charge drew scrutiny from Doron Weinberg, the defense attorney who called it an effort to try Spector for his character, rather than for the crime that he has charged for.

Prosecutors claim Phil Spector shot actress Lana Clarkson in the year 2003 after she resisted his sexual advances.

"This is turning into the trial of his character, which this court knows is clearly unconstitutional and impermissible." Weinberg made the comment while talking to the Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler outside the jury's presence.

Weinberg later moved for a mistrial, by adding that the jury has been intentionally poisoned by the remarks. Fidler rejected the motion.

In a speech reminiscent of the one he gave at the first trial, prosecutor Jackson briefly described the killing of Clarkson at the mansion of Phil Spector. He also exhibited photographs that showed Lara both in life and death.

Jackson also recounted a chauffeur’s statement who gave the information that Phil Spector has emerged from the house by commenting, "I think I killed somebody."

Jackson put forth his statement before a courtroom full of people. Lara Clarkson’s mother and sister also have taken seat in the front row. Phil Spector wore a black pinstriped suit and white tie. Spector’s wife, Rachelle, and a bodyguard accompanied him to court.

In opening statement, Weinberg added that the prosecution "does not have evidence that Mr. Spector killed Lana Clarkson, because he didn't." He contended that the evidence that shows her gunshot wound was self-inflicted.

A source added that Clarkson, who had recently turned 40 and experienced personal and career setbacks, might have shot herself in a moment of despair since she was prepared to leave Phil Spector's house.

While talking to the jurors Weinberg added, "She could have been thinking, 'Is this where I am? Is this where I'm going?." "At that moment, to do something impulsive and self-destructive is entirely consistent with where she was."

Weinberg added that the forensic analysis of blood spatter and gunshot residue would show that Phil Spector did not fire the gun.

During first trial of Phil Spector, the defense also brought forth the argument that Clarkson became hopeless over her fading career and killed herself.

The judge told Jackson quite a number of times to stop referring to a pattern of behavior.

A retired police detective of New York who overheard Phil Spector’s threatening speech to women outside Christmas parties in the early 1990s, was expected to be the prosecution's first witness on Thursday.

It has been a year since the jury in Phil Spector's first trial deadlocked 10-2, along with the majority favoring conviction.

There were no witnesses to the shooting. Also Phil Spector did not testify in that trial.

Phil Spector invented the recording technique known as the "Wall of Sound" and produced such anthems namely Ronettes’ "Be My Baby" and Ike and Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High."