Legal News

Prosecutor in Spector trial says to know him is to loathe him

By Richard Binder

In a two-hour closing argument supplemented by an elaborate audiovisual presentation, Deputy District Attorney Truc Do portrayed legendary music producer Phil Spector as a spoiled and sadistic celebrity who tormented women with impunity because he resided in an elite "world where money and fame buys you the VIP treatment."

As the prosecutor spoke, jurors stared intently at a large projection screen displaying video clips, transcripts of testimony and police photos.

Jurors must decide whether Spector acted criminally in the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson. His defense contends that she was depressed over career setbacks and financial problems and shot herself. Prosecutors argue that Spector pulled a gun on her, as he allegedly had done to other female guests, when he was drunk and she expressed a desire to curtail a romantic evening.

Spector faces a minimum of 18 years in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. The jury also has the option of convicting him on a lesser charge, involuntary manslaughter, which carries a sentence of two to four years in prison.

Read the full story at LA Times.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on March 24, 2009 (boomark / email).