Phil Spector Is Found Guilty in Retrial

A jury convicts him of second-degree murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson

Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department/Reuters/Landov

Music producer Phil Spector got a replay – only this time it was a different tune.

The 68-year-old music legend has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, who was slain at his mansion six years ago. In a retrial, the jury of six men and six women returned the verdict in a Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday afternoon.

Spector could face up to 15 years to life in prison.

Clarkson, a 40-year-old actress who starred in the 1985 cult film Barbarian Queen, was found in the foyer of Spector’s mansion with a gunshot wound to the mouth in 2003. The defense claimed Clarkson was depressed over a breakup and used a 38-caliber pistol to kill herself.

Jurors in Spector’s first trial, which ended in September 2007, failed to reach a verdict after deliberating for 15 days. His retrial began in October of 2008.

In closing arguments to jurors last month, the prosecution called the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer “a very dangerous man” who “has a history of playing Russian roulette with women.” This time it took jurors less than 30 hours to side with the prosecution.

During a career as a songwriter and music producer that spanned nearly four decades, Spector worked with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ike and Tina Turner. He also produced and co-wrote the 1965 song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” for the Righteous Brothers.

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