Mistrial In Phil Spector Case

[MrsSpringsteen]

Judge declares mistrial in Spector case
Jurors were split 10-2 in trial of music producer
BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 4:52 p.m. ET Sept 26, 2007

LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles judge declared a mistrial in the case of pioneering rock producer Phil Spector Wednesday after jurors said for a second time that they were unable to reach a verdict.

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler declared a mistrial after the panel told him they were deadlocked, 10-2, on a charge of second-degree murder against Spector.

The mistrial came on the 12th day of deliberations on whether Spector murdered actress Lana Clarkson more than 4½ years ago.

Spector, 67, is charged with second-degree murder. Clarkson, 40, died when a gun went off in her mouth as she sat in a chair in the foyer of Spector’s Alhambra mansion about 5 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2003. She had met Spector just a few hours earlier at her job as a nightclub hostess and went home with him for a drink after work.

 

[joyfulgirl]

Unbelievable.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

Is there anyone here who believes he didn't murder that woman and that she killed herself? Maybe I should say who also followed the case closely and watched it on tv- I didn't.

 

[indra]

I don't think a mistrial is that much of a surprise in this case.

 

[MsMofoGone]

Here's the full story version ...



Jury Sends Note to Spector Judge
By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent
2 hours ago

LOS ANGELES - The jury deliberating in Phil Spector's murder trial sent some type of communication to the judge Wednesday and talks were suspended pending an afternoon hearing.

The jury buzzed twice _ indicating a question or problem _ and the court clerk went into the deliberation room and returned with a folder. Three buzzes would have indicated a verdict.

The defense was told to have Spector present for the hearing, which was set for 4:30 p.m. EDT. Neither the prosecution nor the defense was told the nature of the proceeding.

Wednesday marked the 12th day of deliberations on whether Spector killed actress Lana Clarkson. Last week the panel said they were at an impasse, which led to modification of the jury instructions.

Spector, 67, is charged with second-degree murder. Clarkson, 40, died when a gun went off in her mouth as she sat in a chair in the foyer of Spector's Alhambra mansion about 5 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2003. She had met Spector just a few hours earlier at her job as a nightclub hostess and went home with him for a drink after work.

The defense contended through the trial that Clarkson had numerous personal problems and died of a self-inflicted wound that was either an accident or a suicide.

Prosecutors presented Spector's chauffeur, who said he heard a "pow" before Spector came outside with a gun in his hand and stated, "I think I killed somebody." Prosecutors also called five women from Spector's past who testified that he terrorized them with guns in long-ago incidents when they tried to leave his presence.

Spector emerged on the music scene in the late 1950s and became a top producer using a hit-making recording technique that became known as the "Wall of Sound." Clarkson was best known as the star of Roger Corman's 1985 cult film "Barbarian Queen."

On Tuesday, authorities said they were investigating a possible threat to the trial judge that was posted on the Internet.

The MySpace.com posting stated "I love Phil Spector" and "The Evil Judge should DIE!!!!."

The posting was on a MySpace Web page called "Team Spector," said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. It was subsequently taken down, Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said.

Sheriff's investigators were looking into the messages, which were signed "xoxo Chelle," according to Parachini. Spector's wife is named Rachelle, but one of his defense attorneys, Christopher Plourd, said she denied having anything to do with the notes.