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Eccentric rock music legend Phil Spector is on trial for murder, for the second time, in Downtown Los Angeles. Spector is accused of shooting to death actress Lana Clarkson after she allegedly blew off his sexual advances during an encounter at his mansion in February of 2003. The first trial ended in a hung jury — with the jurors deadlocked 10-to-2 for conviction.
Yesterday, prosecutor Alan Jackson’s opening statement included details of Clarkson’s death and a long list of women whom he says have been threatened by a gun wielding Spector over the years.
Later, defense attorney Doron Weinberg claimed the 40-year-old actress was despondent and killed herself in the hallway of Spector’s mansion. Weinberg called it a “suicide.” The gun reportedly belonged to Spector.
Spector made his mark as a record producer. His claim to fame is the “Wall of Sound” effect. Spector created this effect back in the 1960s by corralling large numbers of musicians to play together to produce a booming, layered rock sound. The “Wall of Sound” effect can be heard on classic hits like the 1963 “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes and the 1965 “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’ ” by the Righteous Brothers.
In his later years, the 68-year-old Spector became a recluse, hiding out in a pseudo-castle in the suburb of Alhambra. If convicted of second degree murder, Spector faces a sentence of around 20 years in prison.
