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Spector's charge will not be cut | Spector's charge will not be cut |
(19 minutes later) | |
The judge in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector has said he will not instruct the jury to consider a lesser charge of manslaughter. | The judge in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector has said he will not instruct the jury to consider a lesser charge of manslaughter. |
Jurors in Los Angeles have returned to the court after indicating on Tuesday they were unable to reach a verdict. | Jurors in Los Angeles have returned to the court after indicating on Tuesday they were unable to reach a verdict. |
Mr Spector, 67, famous for his work with The Beatles, Tina Turner and Cher, is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson, 40, at his home in 2003. | Mr Spector, 67, famous for his work with The Beatles, Tina Turner and Cher, is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson, 40, at his home in 2003. |
Judge Larry Fidler said it would be "inappropriate" to alter the charge. | Judge Larry Fidler said it would be "inappropriate" to alter the charge. |
He said he did not want to be "basically directing" jurors towards a verdict. | |
However, his decision means it is unclear immediately how the trial will now proceed. | |
He made his ruling after hearing arguments from prosecution lawyers that a charge of manslaughter should be considered, and from defence lawyers, who opposed that idea. | |
On Tuesday, after a week of deliberations, the jury foreman at LA Superior Court said the panel was split seven to five. | On Tuesday, after a week of deliberations, the jury foreman at LA Superior Court said the panel was split seven to five. |
The foreman did not reveal which way the jury was leaning following the five-month trial. | The foreman did not reveal which way the jury was leaning following the five-month trial. |
Influential figure | |
Mr Spector's lawyers have argued that Ms Clarkson's death was a case of suicide rather than murder. | |
Lana Clarkson was killed by a bullet fired from a gun inside her mouthThe actress went to Mr Spector's California home on the night of her death and was killed by a bullet fired from a gun inside her mouth. | |
Her acting career had hit the rocks after appearing in cult 1980s films such as Barbarian Queen and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. | Her acting career had hit the rocks after appearing in cult 1980s films such as Barbarian Queen and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. |
Mr Spector is regarded as one of rock music's most influential figures, known for his pioneering of the echo-laden "Wall of Sound" recording technique. | Mr Spector is regarded as one of rock music's most influential figures, known for his pioneering of the echo-laden "Wall of Sound" recording technique. |
He produced hits like You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by the Righteous Brothers and The Ronettes' Be My Baby. | He produced hits like You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by the Righteous Brothers and The Ronettes' Be My Baby. |