Phil Spector, Unveiled

(NEWSER) - A Los Angeles judge today sentenced Phil Spector to 19 years to life in prison in the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson. The legendary music producer, whose first trial in the case ended in a mistrial, plans to appeal, KTLA-TV reports. Spector, 69, listened impassively as he drew the mandatory minimum of 15 years to life for second-degree murder, plus 4 years on a gun charge. More»

Music producer could get lesser manslaughter charge

(NEWSER) - Attorneys begin closing arguments today in the second murder trial of music producer Phil Spector—proceedings which drew little attention after a media frenzy surrounding the first, which ended with a hung jury, the AP reports. Spector, 69, faces a second-degree charge in the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson, but Friday, a Los Angeles judge said Spector could also be convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter. More»

New book dishes on her life behind bars

(NEWSER) - Excerpts from a new book provide a glimpse into Amanda Knox 's life "in limbo"—otherwise known as an Italian prison. The as-yet released book, Take Me With You, chronicles the convicted killer's life behind bars and her hopes for the future. "I miss my family. I have friends who are like brothers and sisters to me," the author, Rocco Girlanda, quotes Knox as saying. "I want to live." More»

(NEWSER) - Charles Mason has reached out to former music producer Phil Spector, sending the actress-killer fan mail in the California prison they now share, reports the New York Post. Manson, a mediocre musician before he turned cult leader, sent Spector a note via a guard that he wanted to meet and thought he was the greatest producer who ever lived, said Spector's wife, Rachelle. "It was creepy," she told the Post. "Phil didn't respond." More»

(NEWSER) - A photo showing an aged, haggard Charles Manson was released yesterday as part of a routine updating of California prison documents, the Los Angeles Times reports. The photo shows Manson mostly bald and with a thick, grey beard, his homemade swastika tattoo faded. Manson, 74, is serving a life sentence for his role in a series of 1969 murders. More»