Spector's Cash His Best Defense

Lack of 'persnickety' people helped retrial avoid second deadlock

(NEWSER) - Twelve agreeable jurors made all the difference between Phil Spector's two murder trials, lawyers from both sides tell the Los Angeles Times. The jurors who this week voted unanimously to convict heard the same evidence as the jury that deadlocked in 2007, prosecutors and the music legend's lawyer say, but they bonded over the course of the case, avoiding the discord that plagued the first panel. More»

Woman guilty in UK's first contempt of court case involving Internet

(NEWSER) - A British juror who took empathy for the defendant a little too far may be going to jail for contempt of court. Joanna Fraill used Facebook to find and befriend a woman she had helped acquit on drug charges. Before the jury had reached a verdict on other defendants, the two chatted online about the jury's deliberations, causing the collapse of one of a complex series of trials estimated to have cost some $10 million, the Telegraph reports. More»

(NEWSER) - What a difference a wig—or lack of one—makes. California released the prison mug shot of Phil Spector today, revealing him to be a rather ordinary looking bald guy, the Daily News reports. The renowned music producer, always seen in public (and court) with a very full head of hair, has just begun serving a 19-year sentence for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson at his mansion. He plans to appeal. More»

(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»

(NEWSER) - A Los Angeles jury today convicted eccentric music producer Phil Spector of second-degree murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson, the Los Angeles Times reports. Spector, 69, faces at least 18 years in prison for killing 40-year-old Clarkson, who was found with a gunshot wound to the mouth in Spector's mansion 6 years ago. Prosecutors said Spector often threatened women with guns; the defense called Clarkson's death a suicide. More»