Phil Spector convicted of murder

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A jury in Los Angeles on Monday convicted legendary record producer Phil Spector of second degree murder. Spector, who is 69, could be sentenced to 15 years in prison, plus more for a weapons violation.


The jurors had deliberated for nine days after hearing evidence in the trial that began in October. The Los Angeles Times reported that the jury foreman began weeping in a press conference held after the verdict was announced, calling it “painful” to convict another human being.

Spector had claimed that Lana Clarkson, a 40-year-old actress, was depressed and committed suicide at his home six years ago. The two had met just hours earlier at a Sunset Strip club where Clarkson worked as a hostess. The prosecution, though, claimed that Spector had a history of playing Russian roulette with the lives of women when he was drunk.

Judge Larry Paul Fidler denied a defense request to allow Spector to remain free on bail until his sentencing on May 29th. He was then taken out of the courtroom to be booked into jail.