The Phil Spector Trial

Date set for new team

Gale Holland — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:07:30 -0700

Spector ordered to name new lawyers by Oct. 23. Latest story:

No retrial until at least spring, lawyers suggest

Gale Holland — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:40:04 -0700

Despite the judge's insistence on a quick hearing to plan a retrial, Phil Spector probably will not face a jury again for the alleged murder of actress Lana Clarkson until at least next spring, attorneys for the record producer said Thursday.

With changes in his legal team expected, new attorneys would need six months to prepare, said some members of the team in the just-completed trial, which ended in a mistrial Wednesday. The hearing is set for Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Spector bought scientific efforts, juror says

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:05:24 -0700

“I can look at myself in the mirror tomorrow and know that I did the right thing.”

That’s what one juror who voted to convict Phil Spector of murder said after a mistrial was declared in the famous music producer's trial.

The juror, who did not identify himself, said the Spector defense “bought” scientific experts.

Asked at a news conference this afternoon if Spector should be tried again, the juror said, “I think so.”

The two other jurors who agreed to be interviewed, also without giving their names, declined to state an opinion.

“That’s for the judge to decide,” said one, who identified himself as the foreman.

“It’s not our call,” said the third.

Clarkson family reaction

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:36:06 -0700

Reaction from district attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons: "We're disappointed and we will begin immediately to prepare for the retrial." John C. Taylor, lawyer for the Clarkson family, which is suing Phil Spector for wrongful death: "We will not rest until justice is done."

Jurors speak

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:25:37 -0700

Asked whether Spector's celebrity helped him, one juror replied, "He got to buy some experts." The juror, who said he voted for guilty, was one of a handful who agreed to take questions from the media.

Defense attorney Roger Rosen thanked the jury: "We thank the jurors for the 5 1/2 months they took out of their lives to do the conscientious job they did."

More juror comments

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:24:38 -0700

On why some jurors were for acquittal: "Part of it was forensics, part Spector ... and not having his hand on the gun, and not doing the psychological profile." The juror was referring to the county coroner's decision not to do a psychological profile of Lana Clarkson; the defense expert did and said that it indicated she may have been suicidal.

Yet another juror comment

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:24:06 -0700

"I thought it'd be quick, a done deal, in and out. It wasn't."

Not impressed by defense

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:23:47 -0700

From a juror who voted for conviction: "I was insulted by the defense and what they threw out."

Jury was leaning toward conviction

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:08:01 -0700

The jury's 10-2 split was in favor of conviction, a court spokesman said. On the first ballot, the vote was only four for guilty. Then more jurors moved toward conviction. Apparently three jurors changed their vote from not guilty to guilty after the judge issued revised instructions, following the first announcement of an impasse. The district attorney would have had a much tougher call to make on whether to retry if the jury had hung 7 to 5.

Spector shows little reaction

Gale Holland — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:59:05 -0700

Spector, dressed in the Carnaby Street-style fashions he has worn throughout the trial, appeared impassive as the brief court hearing proceeded. His lawyer, Linda Kenney Baden, at one point leaned toward him and gently placed her arm around his back. The judge said they would meet next Wednesday, Oct. 3, to discuss where to go from here, then sent the media out of the courtroom while he talked to jurors.