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Spector 'had history of violence' Spector's defence accuses police
(about 14 hours later)
Prosecutors opening the murder trial of the pioneering US music producer, Phil Spector, have alleged he had "a rich history" of violence against women. Defence lawyers at music producer Phil Spector's murder trial have claimed the police jumped to conclusions about how a woman died at his house.
Actress Lana Clarkson, found shot to death at Mr Spector's home in 2003, was the last of several women he abused, jurors at the Los Angeles trial heard. Actress Lana Clarkson was found dead at Mr Spector's home in 2003, with gunshot wounds to the face.
Mr Spector, 67, has pleaded not guilty. His defence lawyers say Ms Clarkson put a gun in her mouth and shot herself. The prosecution had told jurors at the Los Angeles trial that Mr Spector had a history of violence against women.
But his lawyer, Bruce Cutler, said detectives had "murder in mind". Mr Spector, 67, has pleaded not guilty.
His defence say Ms Clarkson put a gun in her mouth and shot herself.
Both sides say forensic evidence and the autopsy support their accounts.Both sides say forensic evidence and the autopsy support their accounts.
Mr Spector, who was wearing a light-coloured suit and dark purple shirt, appeared tense as he watched the proceedings. Mr Spector, who is famous for his "Wall of Sound" musical technique, appeared tense as he watched the proceedings.
Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson described a pattern of behaviour in Mr Spector, where he would get drunk, take a woman home, and threaten her with a gun if she refused to stay. Spector's wife Rachelle Short has been accompanying him to courtIn opening statements, Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson described a pattern of behaviour in Mr Spector, where he would get drunk, take a woman home, and threaten her with a gun if she refused to stay.
Mr Jackson said Mr Spector was someone "who, when he's confronted with the right circumstances, when he's confronted with the right situations, turns sinister and deadly".Mr Jackson said Mr Spector was someone "who, when he's confronted with the right circumstances, when he's confronted with the right situations, turns sinister and deadly".
Spector's wife Rachelle Short has been accompanying him to court"The evidence is going to paint a picture of a man, who on 3 February 2003, put a loaded pistol in Lana Clarkson's mouth - inside her mouth - and shot her to death."
He suggested that the actress "was simply the last in a long line of women who fell victim to Philip Spector over the years".He suggested that the actress "was simply the last in a long line of women who fell victim to Philip Spector over the years".
Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler has allowed five women to testify about Mr Spector brandishing guns around them between 1988 and 1995. But Mr Cutler said police officers were blinded by the idea of such a famous suspect.
Mr Spector's lawyers said the judge's decision was a "large hurdle" for his team to surmount, saying the evidence would be "very salacious and seductive" and would distract the jury. "The evidence will show that back on February 3 of '03, before they even had a cause of death, let alone a manner of death, they had murder on their mind."
He added: "Fame and success come back to haunt you."
Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler has allowed five women to testify about Mr Spector brandishing guns around them between 1988 and 1995, despite objections from Mr Spector's lawyers.
'Bizarre suicide''Bizarre suicide'
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.
Later, he told Esquire magazine she died in a bizarre act of suicide after "kissing" the gun.Later, he told Esquire magazine 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.
Lana Clarkson was found dead at Spector's mansionA jury of nine men and three women was sworn in last week for the trial, which is being televised and is expected to last up to three months.Lana Clarkson was found dead at Spector's mansionA jury of nine men and three women was sworn in last week for the trial, which is being televised and is expected to last up to three months.
Among those reported to be preparing to act as character witnesses for Phil Spector is John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono.Among 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.
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.
Mr Spector won two Grammy awards for his work and is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Ohio.