The Murder of Actress Lana Clarkson by Music Producer Phil Spector (Crime Documentary)
- 5 years ago
On February 3, 2003, actress Lana Clarkson was found dead in the mansion belonging to record producer Phil Spector. In the early hours of that morning, she met Spector while working at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. They left the House of Blues in Spector's limousine and drove to his mansion. Spector and Clarkson went inside while his driver waited outside in the car. About an hour later, the driver heard a gunshot before Spector exited his house through the back door with a gun. He was quoted as saying, according to affidavits, ""I think I just shot her."" Spector later said Clarkson's death was an ""accidental suicide"" and that she ""kissed the gun"".
Spector was tried for the murder of Clarkson in 2007. On September 26, 2007, a mistrial was declared due to a hung jury ten to two for conviction. He was tried again for second-degree murder on October 20, 2008. On April 13, 2009, the jury found Spector guilty of murdering Clarkson. Spector was sentenced on May 29, 2009, to 19 years to life in state prison.
On February 3, 2003, actress Lana Clarkson was found dead in Spector's mansion (the Pyrenees Castle) in Alhambra, California. Her body was found slumped in a chair with a single gunshot wound to her mouth with broken teeth scattered over the carpet. Spector told Esquire Magazine in July 2003 that Clarkson's death was an ""accidental suicide"" and that she ""kissed the gun"". The emergency call from Spector's home, made by Spector's driver, Adriano de Souza, quotes Spector as saying, ""I think I've killed someone"". De Souza added that he saw Spector come out the back door of the house with a gun in his hand.
According to the prosecution, Spector had previously pulled a gun on four women. In each case, he had been drinking and ""was romantically interested in the woman, but grew angry after the woman spurned him."" The prosecution alleged that on each occasion, he pointed a gun at the woman to prevent her from walking out. The prosecution argued that the testimony of the other women was important to demonstrate a ""common plan or scheme."" The defense sought to prevent the women from providing such testimony. Though the law generally forbids the introduction of evidence showing a defendant's previous transgressions, the judge ruled the testimony ""can be used to show lack of accident or mistake.""
Spector remained free on $1 million bails while awaiting trial, which began on March 19, 2007. Presiding Judge Larry Paul Fidler allowed the proceedings in Los Angeles Superior Court to be televised. At the start of the trial, the defense forensic expert Henry Lee was accused of hiding crucial evidence that the District Attorney's office claimed could prove Spector's guilt. On September 26, 2007, Judge Fidler declared a mistrial because of a hung jury (ten to two for conviction). Before and during the first trial, Spector went through at least three sets of attorneys.
Spector was tried for the murder of Clarkson in 2007. On September 26, 2007, a mistrial was declared due to a hung jury ten to two for conviction. He was tried again for second-degree murder on October 20, 2008. On April 13, 2009, the jury found Spector guilty of murdering Clarkson. Spector was sentenced on May 29, 2009, to 19 years to life in state prison.
On February 3, 2003, actress Lana Clarkson was found dead in Spector's mansion (the Pyrenees Castle) in Alhambra, California. Her body was found slumped in a chair with a single gunshot wound to her mouth with broken teeth scattered over the carpet. Spector told Esquire Magazine in July 2003 that Clarkson's death was an ""accidental suicide"" and that she ""kissed the gun"". The emergency call from Spector's home, made by Spector's driver, Adriano de Souza, quotes Spector as saying, ""I think I've killed someone"". De Souza added that he saw Spector come out the back door of the house with a gun in his hand.
According to the prosecution, Spector had previously pulled a gun on four women. In each case, he had been drinking and ""was romantically interested in the woman, but grew angry after the woman spurned him."" The prosecution alleged that on each occasion, he pointed a gun at the woman to prevent her from walking out. The prosecution argued that the testimony of the other women was important to demonstrate a ""common plan or scheme."" The defense sought to prevent the women from providing such testimony. Though the law generally forbids the introduction of evidence showing a defendant's previous transgressions, the judge ruled the testimony ""can be used to show lack of accident or mistake.""
Spector remained free on $1 million bails while awaiting trial, which began on March 19, 2007. Presiding Judge Larry Paul Fidler allowed the proceedings in Los Angeles Superior Court to be televised. At the start of the trial, the defense forensic expert Henry Lee was accused of hiding crucial evidence that the District Attorney's office claimed could prove Spector's guilt. On September 26, 2007, Judge Fidler declared a mistrial because of a hung jury (ten to two for conviction). Before and during the first trial, Spector went through at least three sets of attorneys.