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Spector murder trial begins in LA Spector 'could become sinister'
(about 2 hours later)
Opening statements have begun in the trial of pioneering music producer Phil Spector, who is accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. Jurors at the murder trial of pioneering music producer Phil Spector, 67, have heard he could become "sinister and deadly".
Opening the case, prosecutor Alan Jackson told jurors the 67-year-old could become "sinister and deadly". Opening the case, prosecutor Alan Jackson said Mr Spector had a "rich history of violence against women".
The prosecution argue the music producer shot the actress in the mouth as she tried to leave his home. The 67-year-old is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson in the mouth as she tried to leave his home in 2003.
Mr Spector has pleaded not guilty. His defence lawyers claim Ms Clarkson put the gun in her mouth and shot herself.Mr Spector has pleaded not guilty. His defence lawyers claim Ms Clarkson put the gun in her mouth and shot herself.
Both sides say forensic evidence and the autopsy support their versions of events.Both sides say forensic evidence and the autopsy support their versions of events.
Spector, who was wearing a light-coloured suit and dark purple shirt, appeared tense as he watched the proceedings, AP news agency said. Spector, who was wearing a light-coloured suit and dark purple shirt, appeared tense as he watched the proceedings.
Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson said Mr Spector is someone "who, when he's confronted with the right circumstances, when he's confronted with the right situations, turns sinister and deadly".Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson said Mr Spector is someone "who, when he's confronted with the right circumstances, when he's confronted with the right situations, turns sinister and deadly".
"The evidence is going to paint a picture of a man, who on February 3, 2003, put a loaded pistol in Lana Clarkson's mouth - inside her mouth - and shot her to death," he said."The evidence is going to paint a picture of a man, who on February 3, 2003, put a loaded pistol in Lana Clarkson's mouth - inside her mouth - and shot her to death," he said.
He suggested that the actress "was simply the last in a long line of women who fell victim to Philip Spector over the years".
A jury of nine men and three women was sworn in last week for the case in Los Angeles, which will be televised and is expected to last up to three months.A jury of nine men and three women was sworn in last week for the case in Los Angeles, which will be televised and is expected to last up to three months.
Lana Clarkson was found dead at Spector's mansionAmong those reported to be preparing to act as character witnesses for Phil Spector is John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono. Spector's wife Rachelle Short has been accompanying him to courtAmong those reported to be preparing to act as character witnesses for Phil Spector is John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono.
Mr Spector allegedly once fired a gun over Lennon's head during a recording session with the Beatles.Mr Spector allegedly once fired a gun over Lennon's head during a recording session with the Beatles.
It is not clear whether Mr Spector, who has shunned the public eye for decades, will testify at the trial.It is not clear whether Mr Spector, who has shunned the public eye for decades, will testify at the trial.
B-movie actress Ms Clarkson, who starred in films such as Amazon Women On the Moon and Barbarian Queen, was found at Mr Spector's Los Angeles mansion in February 2003 with a fatal gunshot wound to her face.B-movie actress Ms Clarkson, who starred in films such as Amazon Women On the Moon and Barbarian Queen, was found at Mr Spector's Los Angeles mansion in February 2003 with a fatal gunshot wound to her face.
Police say the producer told the first officers on the scene that he had killed Ms Clarkson by accident.Police say the producer told the first officers on the scene that he had killed Ms Clarkson by accident.
'Bizarre suicide''Bizarre suicide'
Later, he told Esquire magazine that she died in a bizarre act of suicide after "kissing" the gun.Later, he told Esquire magazine that she died in a bizarre act of suicide after "kissing" the gun.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Mr Spector could be sentenced to life in prison.If convicted of first-degree murder, Mr Spector could be sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors complained on Tuesday that the defence team had sought to exclude women from the jury.Prosecutors complained on Tuesday that the defence team had sought to exclude women from the jury.
Phil Spector brought a new sound to pop music Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler said he was aware that Mr Spector's lawyers had challenged the presence of nine people on the jury, leading to eight women being removed. Lana Clarkson was found dead at Spector's mansionSuperior Court Judge Larry Fidler said he was aware that Mr Spector's lawyers had challenged the presence of nine people on the jury, leading to eight women being removed.
"I've been keeping an eye on it," he said, but ultimately ruled there was no violation."I've been keeping an eye on it," he said, but ultimately ruled there was no violation.
Legal expert Laurie Levenson told the Associated Press the defence would have wanted to restrict the number of female jurors because they could be "more likely to identify with the victim".Legal expert Laurie Levenson told the Associated Press the defence would have wanted to restrict the number of female jurors because they could be "more likely to identify with the victim".
"And it's not just the victim. It's the fact that the prosecution plans to put on other women as witnesses who claim they had problems with Spector.""And it's not just the victim. It's the fact that the prosecution plans to put on other women as witnesses who claim they had problems with Spector."
Judge Fidler has allowed five women to testify about Mr Spector brandishing guns around them between 1988 and 1995.Judge Fidler has allowed five women to testify about Mr Spector brandishing guns around them between 1988 and 1995.
'Salacious' evidence'Salacious' evidence
Mr Spector's lawyer Roger Rosen admitted the judge's decision was a "large hurdle" for his team to surmount.Mr Spector's lawyer Roger Rosen admitted the judge's decision was a "large hurdle" for his team to surmount.
"This kind of evidence is very salacious and seductive and gets the jury thinking about things other than the evidence," he said."This kind of evidence is very salacious and seductive and gets the jury thinking about things other than the evidence," he said.
Mr Spector is famed for his influential music production technique, known as the Wall of Sound, which featured soaring orchestration and multi-layered vocals.Mr Spector is famed for his influential music production technique, known as the Wall of Sound, which featured soaring orchestration and multi-layered vocals.
It became a trademark of some of the most acclaimed pop hits of the 1960s, such as The Crystals' Da Doo Ron Ron and the Ronettes' Be My Baby.It became a trademark of some of the most acclaimed pop hits of the 1960s, such as The Crystals' Da Doo Ron Ron and the Ronettes' Be My Baby.
Mr Spector won two Grammy awards for his work and is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Ohio.Mr Spector won two Grammy awards for his work and is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Ohio.