Spector Found Guilty

After numerous delays and more than 30 hours of deliberations over nine days, a panel of Los Angeles jurors has found Phil Spector guilty of second-degree murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson at the music producer’s mansion in 2003.

This was Spector’s second trial for the death of Clarkson. A 2007 trial resulted in a deadlocked jury – 10-2 for conviction.

During the retrial, which began in October, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Truc Do urged jurors to find Spector guilty of second-degree murder, calling the music producer a “demonic maniac” who “had a history of playing Russian roulette with the lives of women” when drinking.

Spector attorneys had claimed Clarkson was depressed over her acting career and committed suicide by shooting herself with one of Spector’s guns in the foyer of his home just hours after meeting him at West Hollywood’s House of Blues, where she was working as a hostess.

Spector, who was remanded to jail immediately following the verdict by Judge Larry Fidler, heads back to court May 29 for sentencing.  He faces at least 18 years in prison.