Over the course of the trial, which began in October, the prosecution portrayed Spector as a sadistic misogynist who had a three-decade "history of playing Russian roulette with the lives of women" when he was drunk. A prosecutor told jurors in her summation that "by the grace of God, five other women got the empty chamber and lived to tell. Lana just happened to be the sixth woman, who got the bullet."
By Harriet Ryan / LA TIMES /7:10 PM PDT, April 13, 2009
By Harriet Ryan / LA TIMES /7:10 PM PDT, April 13, 2009
SEE THE DEATH SCENE LAYOUT AThttp://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-081207me-clue12-fl,0,7055058.flash
Source: Times reporting
Graphic by Matt Moody
Interactivity by Brady MacDonald
AP / Jurors found Phil Spector guilty of murder in the second-degree for the shooting death of 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson. His first trial ended with a deadlocked jury, although the majority was convinced he was guilty. Phil Spector Convicted of Second-Degree Murder
By JONATHAN LLOYD
Updated 6:07 PM PDT, Monday, Apr 13, 2009
By JONATHAN LLOYD
Updated 6:07 PM PDT, Monday, Apr 13, 2009
Music producer Phil Spector was found guilty Monday of second-degree murder in the February 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.
Jurors also found Spector personally used the firearm while committing the crime at his Alhambra mansion. Sentencing has been set for May 29.
Second-degree murder carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. The firearm enhancement adds three, four or 10 years in prison, according to the district attorney's office.
The judge denied bail and Spector, wearing a fire-engine red tie and pocket square, was taken into custody after the verdict was announced. He also wore a "Barack Obama Rocks" button on his left suit lapel.
Spector and his wife entered the courtroom at about 2 p.m., and the verdict was read at about 15 minutes later. His son and daughter were seated next to him at the counsel's table.
Spector's wife, Rachelle, cried as the decision was announced. Spector showed no reaction as his attorney rubbed his client's left shoulder.
Members of the Clarkson family, including her mother and sister, also were in the courtroom.
"This is why we do this job," said prosecutor Alan Jackson. "If there's a wrong, we can attempt to try to right it. Today is when the Clarkson family gets their justice."
As of Monday morning, the jury had spent about 30 hours discussing the case over eight days since March 26.
Spector, 69, was charged with murder in the Feb. 3, 2003, shooting death of the 40-year-old actress and House of Blues VIP hostess at his mansion in Alhambra. He claims she shot herself with his gun.
IT'S BEEN A LONG WAIT FOR THIS VERDICT...
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