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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Spector's charge will not be cut | Spector's charge will not be cut |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The judge in music producer Phil Spector's murder trial has dropped plans to offer a manslaughter charge. | |
| Jurors returned to court on Wednesday after indicating that they could not reach a verdict, but were sent home in the afternoon as deadlock continued. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | Influential figure |
| Mr Spector's lawyers have argued that Ms Clarkson's death was a case of suicide rather than murder. | 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. | 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. |