Spector Trial To Be Televised

A judge on February 16th ruled that the murder trial of record producer Phil Spector could be televised gavel-to-gavel.

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said he believes it’s time for the justice system to move past the controversy and stigma caused by broadcasting the O.J. Simpson trial.

"We have to get by that case," Fidler said. "There’s going to come a time that it will be commonplace to televise trials. If it had not been for Simpson, we’d be there now."

Spector attorney Roger Rosen opposed televising the trial, arguing that it would cause a disruption in the behavior of witnesses and jurors.

"It puts people in a position where everybody behaves differently," Rosen said. "To put a camera in the courtroom and have it operational from beginning to end creates a very dangerous situation."

Fidler disagreed, saying, "If anyone is playing to the camera, I will call them on it."

He added that he believes he can control the situation, and if necessary, "I can pull the plug at any time."

Spector, 67, is accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson four years ago at his Southern California mansion. He has pleaded not guilty and is out on $1 million bail.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin March 19th.