Phil Spector second trial

[TellitTrue]

I followed this trial, then after the hung jury...sort of lost tabs on what is going on...has a new trial date been set? TIA anyone who knows.:confused:

[TobyTiger]

SPECTOR HAS NEW ATTORNEY FOR RETRIAL (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g93Q_UR0CRpFh-FS-4UbHXxI-dvAD8TD1VF80)

LOS ANGELES — A San Francisco lawyer says he will represent Phil Spector in his retrial on a murder charge and that he could not be ready to proceed until September.

Doron Weinberg's proposed date for the new trial would put it exactly one year after the record producer's first one ended in a hung jury.

Weinberg told Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler on Friday that he needs five months to study 10,000 pages of transcripts from the first, six-month trial as well as 35,000 pages of discovery provided by the prosecution. A mistrial was declared Sept. 26 when jurors could not agree whether he had shot actress Lana Clarkson in 2003.

Members of Spector's previous defense team either resigned or were dismissed after the mistrial. Weinberg said the only remaining lawyer, Christopher Plourd, is involved in two death penalty cases and could not be available to try the Spector case until the fall.

Deputy District Attorney Pat Dixon said the prosecution wants Spector's new trial to begin as soon as possible, but "If Mr. Plourd's cases go we can't argue with that."

He suggested an interim hearing to check on Plourd's schedule, which Fidler set for March 7. As a technicality, Fidler also set May 22 as a tentative trial date but said that will be continued.

Weinberg asked the judge to let Spector and his wife, Rachelle, speak to the news media about the case in coming months. Fidler refused, saying, "I still believe the case should be tried in the courtroom."

Fidler imposed a gag order during the first trial after Mrs. Spector went on television to voice support for her husband.

Clarkson's mother and sister were in court with their lawyers. They have filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Spector that can't be tried until the criminal case is resolved.

more at the link

[sunstar]

I'm so glad someone started a thread for PS here. I know his next trial is many months away but it's always interesting to chat about the whole thing & keep up on the latest! Thanks so much to TobyTiger for the news article. I hope Judge Fidler doesn't let the defense keep postponing it. :)

[Pauli]

When a new trial starts I will set up a forum for it...:)

[animallady]

TellitTrue,
Many thanks for starting this thread. I came in this pm to start one and grateful to see it already up & going.:zm10:

And Toby, as usually, thank you for posting the link & update.:basic45:

Recently received an e-mail from my poster friends from the first trial. They are already gathering and trying a new board. Today I sent a message in which I suggested they consider coming here. I advised that this is a fun & user-friendly format and well run board. Hope they will come here. Really nice, bright & well-informed folks.

Ms. Harlett, continuing thank you notes to you! Just wondering. While this is an Old Case (will be ancient by the time the gavel drops), it is also a Pending Trial. Any way to put a reference to this thread under that forum?:z0tdntknw: See ya'll later.

[Pauli]

You have been moved to a new home.... under the trials. If someone wants to take the time to bring links from the first trial I will go ahead and set up a sub forum here in the trials section. That way you will be able to have more than one thread and a thread for links only.

[animallady]

Ms. Harlett,

Thank you for this. I will be glad to bring the links over; however, very low tech and don't know how. Do I just type links in and hyperlink each one with brief description of each?:francis:

Don't have a dime but have the time!:basic45:

[TobyTiger]

Do I just type links in and hyperlink each one with brief description of each?:francis:

Don't have a dime but have the time!:basic45:
It's not that difficult. Before you copy and paste the links, however, make sure they are still active.

CTV BOARDS LINKS TO INFORMATION AND VIDEO (http://boards.courttv.com/showthread.php?threadid=298394&perpage=40&pagenumber=1)

[Pauli]

Ms. Harlett,

Thank you for this. I will be glad to bring the links over; however, very low tech and don't know how. Do I just type links in and hyperlink each one with brief description of each?:francis:

Don't have a dime but have the time!:basic45:

I will need to set up a forum for it first.. then you can start adding the links...

Like Toby said.. all you have to do is highlight a link, copy and then paste it in the thread here.

I wil get it started...

[Pauli]

OK, you have been moved again to Spector's own forum.. I have gone ahead and moved most of the links over here that were at CTV on the forum that is open right now.

[chambord]

OK, you have been moved again to Spector's own forum.. I have gone ahead and moved most of the links over here that were at CTV on the forum that is open right now.


Dynamite!!! You are amazing!!!

[rem16]

Spector -- Hiring a Lawyer Can Be Murder
Posted Dec 19th 2007 7:38PM by TMZ Staff

Phil Spector has sued famed attorney Robert Shapiro for a million bucks.

Spector, who was arrested and tried for the murder of Lana Clarkson, hired Shapiro (of O.J. Simpson fame) shortly after he was arrested -- the two had a long-standing friendship. The suit claims Shapiro got Spector to sign a "non-refundable retainer" of $1 million, at a time when Spector "was laboring under a tremendous amount of mental stress that comes with being arrested for murder." The suit also claims Spector signed when he was not taking his meds.

http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/19/spector-hiring-a-lawyer-can-be-murder/

[sunstar]

Spector -- Hiring a Lawyer Can Be Murder
Posted Dec 19th 2007 7:38PM by TMZ Staff

Phil Spector has sued famed attorney Robert Shapiro for a million bucks.

Spector, who was arrested and tried for the murder of Lana Clarkson, hired Shapiro (of O.J. Simpson fame) shortly after he was arrested -- the two had a long-standing friendship. The suit claims Shapiro got Spector to sign a "non-refundable retainer" of $1 million, at a time when Spector "was laboring under a tremendous amount of mental stress that comes with being arrested for murder." The suit also claims Spector signed when he was not taking his meds.

http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/19/spector-hiring-a-lawyer-can-be-murder/\
OMG ~ the reasons for the lawsuit!! Spector didn't realize what he was signing because he wasn't taking is meds?? Which ones would affect that? :shock:

[bambam]

hey all! can't wait for this one to start!! :basic44:

[sunstar]

hey all! can't wait for this one to start!! :basic44:

Me, too! We might be waiting a few months though. :(

[EMUart]

\
OMG ~ the reasons for the lawsuit!! Spector didn't realize what he was signing because he wasn't taking is meds?? Which ones would affect that? :shock:

I wonder if this defense in the civil trial will be along the same lines in the criminal one. :waitasec:

[PatC]

I just read the Complaint. It almost reads as if Spector wrote it himself. :girl_haha:

"Mr. Spector is a legendary music producer."

[sunstar]

I wonder if this defense in the civil trial will be along the same lines in the criminal one. :waitasec:

I'd think so, like how could he change from his claim she killed herself? Wouldn't the only other thing be for him to admit he was holding the gun, put it in her mouth and fired? :0009:

[EMUart]

I'd think so, like how could he change from his claim she killed herself? Wouldn't the only other thing be for him to admit he was holding the gun, put it in her mouth and fired? :0009:

Who knows what will change, if anything. It will be very interesting to watch.

[Pauli]

Witness in Spector trial has died unexpectedly http://www.latimes.com/news/obituar...ack=2&cset=true (http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passings6jan06,1,4434899.story?ctrack=2&cset=true)

Dianne Ogden
Spector assistant testified at trial

Dianne Ogden, 61, a music talent coordinator and former assistant to music producer Phil Spector who was one of four women to testify at his trial last year about his threatening them with guns, died Dec. 29 at her home in Park City, Utah.

Ogden died in her sleep of undetermined causes, her daughter, Angie Ogden Osborne, said Saturday.

Spector was charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, who was shot at his Alhambra mansion Feb. 3, 2003. Ogden was the second woman called by the prosecution to bolster its case that Spector followed a pattern of luring women to his home, drinking, then pulling guns on them when they tried to leave.

In testimony last May in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Ogden, who said she was a friend of Spector's, described a party in 1989 at his home, then in Pasadena. When she tried to leave about midnight, Spector pushed a gun against her -- "He put it all over me," she said -- then forced her to his bedroom. She said she lay on the bed next to him until he fell asleep.

The next morning, Ogden said, Spector acted "like nothing had happened" and she left the house. She did not report the incident to authorities, and she was compelled by the district attorney's office to testify.

In September, after jurors failed to reach a verdict, the judge declared a mistrial. A retrial is scheduled for this year.

Ogden, born Feb. 16, 1946, in Culver City, was a longtime talent coordinator for the Grammy Awards and other music variety programs.

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her husband, Steven Hadler; son Sean; stepson Shannon; two grandchildren; sister Marcia Ogden; and brother Mike LaFirenza.

Funeral services are scheduled for noon Tuesday at Gates Kingsley and Gates, 1925 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica.

From Times Staff and Wire Reports

[TobyTiger]

Hopefully we will learn more as to the undetermined cause...she appeared to be fine when she testified and wasn't suffering from any illnesses.

How sad.

:1222423:
For Diane's family

[TobyTiger]

PROSECUTION SAYS DEATH OF WITNESS WON'T AFFECT NEW TRIAL (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080107-1718-ca-spector-witnessdeath.html)

5:18 p.m. January 7, 2008

LOS ANGELES – The death of Dianne Ogden, one of four women who testified against Phil Spector in his murder trial, will not substantially change the case against the music producer in his second trial, a prosecution spokeswoman said Monday.

Ogden, 61, who testified that the music producer threatened her with a gun, died at home in Park City, Utah, on Dec. 29.

Argus Hamilton, the host of the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and a friend of Ogden, said he was notified of her death during the weekend. Hamilton did not know the cause of death. Ogden was a longtime music talent coordinator for the Grammy Awards and other music variety programs.
“It was completely unexpected,” he said of her death. “I had talked to her and she was looking forward to coordinating the upcoming Grammys.”

There was no immediate response to a telephone message left Monday for her husband, Steven Halder, in Park City.

Ogden drew national attention when she testified last May that after a party at Spector's home in 1989 the record producer suddenly turned “demonic,” forced her at gunpoint into his bedroom and tried to have sex with her.

District attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said Ogden's “death was a tragedy but it should not affect the upcoming trial.”

She said prosecutors would most likely be able to use video of her testimony which was recorded by Court TV at the first trial.

Christopher Plourd, one of Spector's lawyers, agreed that the testimony of a deceased witness can be used but he said there may be a debate over whether it will be on video or will be read to jurors from transcripts.

Prosecutors called Ogden to support their case that Spector had a pattern of threatening women with guns that led to the killing of actress Lana Clarkson, who was shot at Spector's Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.

His murder trial ended in a jury deadlock in September. A second trial is expected to begin next autumn. Ogden and the other women who testified about Spector's behavior were expected to be witnesses in the next trial.

Ogden, who was a friend of Spector, said he seemed to undergo a personality change as she moved to leave his home after the 1989 party.

“He was screaming at me, the F-word,” she said. “He wasn't my Phil, not the man I loved. It wasn't him. He was demonic. It scared the hell out of me.”

Another time, she said, she went to his house for a gathering with two friends and when she got up to leave, Spector again tried to keep her from going. “He said, 'I have an Uzi with me and I'm going to kill you,'” she said.

Ogden said he ran after her with the Uzi in his hand but she jumped into her car and gunned the engine. She never saw him again after that, she testified.

She said she never told her story to law enforcement and only spoke at the trial because she was under subpoena.

Gibbons said that Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson phoned Ogden's family to express condolences.

Hamilton said a funeral for Ogden is scheduled Tuesday in Santa Monica, where she grew up.

more at the link

[NewYorkDoll]

Thanks for posting that story and link. I had been pondering how this might be dealt with.

I thought she was a very credible witness.

For Dianne:1222423:

[TobyTiger]

Thanks for posting that story and link. I had been pondering how this might be dealt with.

I thought she was a very credible witness.

For Dianne:1222423:

You're welcome!

As stated in the article, the State can use the video of her testimony during the first trial. If that were not available, her testimony could be read into evidence...although the video is a far more effective tool.

[sunstar]

I'm very saddened to read that Diane died. She was a very credible witness, and seemed to be just a "good person". If they show a video of her testimony at the next trial, it will be heartbreaking to watch, knowing she's now gone ~ just like it was to see Lana on video. :1222423:

[PatC]

I am SOOOOOOO anxious for this retrial. Have I missed the setting of a date? Do we know yet when the new trial will begin? I think I recall reading that PS finally picked another attorney, right?

[sunstar]

I am SOOOOOOO anxious for this retrial. Have I missed the setting of a date? Do we know yet when the new trial will begin? I think I recall reading that PS finally picked another attorney, right?
No date yet! Toby Tiger posted on 12/9/07 an article and link about the new lawyer on page 1 of this thread. His name is Weinberg. :)

[Jrenee]

Hopefully we will learn more as to the undetermined cause...she appeared to be fine when she testified and wasn't suffering from any illnesses.

How sad.

:1222423:
For Diane's family

Yes, TobyTiger. She seemed so nice and was very genuine. I can hardly wait for the new trial and I believe PS will not walk the second time around.

[NJ_Nurse]

I was just now reading the news about Diane Ogden passing away. Was the cause of death ever established?

I found Ms. Ogden to be refreshingly candid, professional, and extremely credible. How sad she will not be here to see justice done. (Keeping my fingers crossed for that.)

[TobyTiger]

Her COD most likely was determined however the family may wish to keep it private.

[Cat]

I was just now reading the news about Diane Ogden passing away. Was the cause of death ever established?

I found Ms. Ogden to be refreshingly candid, professional, and extremely credible. How sad she will not be here to see justice done. (Keeping my fingers crossed for that.)

Although I don't think the deceased see justice as we do, she may still know when that happens. http://bestsmileys.com/music2/12.gif

[TobyTiger]

Although I don't think the deceased see justice as we do, she may still know when that happens. http://bestsmileys.com/music2/12.gif

Totally agree.

She's with Lana now, and knows exactly what happened.
:1222423:

[Cat]

Thanks, Toby Tiger. It's nice to have someone agree. I expect some people think I'm nuts, but it's just my opinion.

[sunstar]

Cat & Toby Tiger, I too share that belief. I also wonder what caused Diane's death but maybe it was an illness that family believe isn't anyone's business. If it was that and something she'd been fighting for a while, she was a very brave woman to be at the trial and testify to what happened to her years ago with PS. I know she must be at peace now and in a better place. :1222423:

[StoneFox]

Cat & Toby Tiger, I too share that belief. I also wonder what caused Diane's death but maybe it was an illness that family believe isn't anyone's business. If it was that and something she'd been fighting for a while, she was a very brave woman to be at the trial and testify to what happened to her years ago with PS. I know she must be at peace now and in a better place. :1222423:

I have wondered if she took too much of a sleeping aid. Thinking here of Heath Ledger's accidental overdose. Not saying anything bad about Dianne. She was a purely lovely person, and one of the most believable testimonies about PS. I was just wondering, since things are hush about the COD.

Ambien is so widely prescribed these days for persons with sleep problems. I'm not sure people understand the seriousness of problems that can happen if they drink with Ambien or take other prescription drugs that can cause a bad reaction.

[Cat]

Cat & Toby Tiger, I too share that belief. I also wonder what caused Diane's death but maybe it was an illness that family believe isn't anyone's business. If it was that and something she'd been fighting for a while, she was a very brave woman to be at the trial and testify to what happened to her years ago with PS. I know she must be at peace now and in a better place. :1222423:

Hey, that's 3 of us, sunstar. She certainly looked healthy when she testified, but I know that doesn't mean anything. Yes, she's in a better place and a new life.

[mitch]

Hey, that's 3 of us, sunstar. She certainly looked healthy when she testified, but I know that doesn't mean anything. Yes, she's in a better place and a new life.

she did look healthy. but when she was on the stand i posted asking if her hair was a wig. it was so stylish. some that had experience in the hair business posted that they thought it was her real hair. i thought it was a wig. of course nothing like the wigs PS was wearing.

[totallyBARD]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978753.html?categoryid=25&cs=1

Wed Jan 9, 2008 2:33pm PT

Casting director Dianne Ogden-Halder dies

Was the former assistant to Phil Spector

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dianne Ogden-Halder, a talent coordinator, casting director and former assistant to Phil Spector who testified at his trial, died of undetermined causes Dec. 29 in Park City, Utah. She was 61.

She was one of four women who testified as a witness in the Phil Spector murder trial in Los Angeles, describing how Spector brandished a gun near her a party in 1989.

She began as a production assistant on "The Midnight Special" and as an executive assistant to Burt Sugarman. She went on to book talent for shows and specials including the Billboard Music Awards, the Gala for President Bill Clinton at the Ford Theater, the World Music Awards and the first Latin Grammy Awards.

She also worked on the Grammy Awards as a talent coordinator for 18 years, and cast Jim Carrey in his first major film role in "Once Bitten."

She is survived by her husband, Steven Halder; a daughter; a son; a stepson; a sister; a brother; three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

[totallyBARD]

she did look healthy. but when she was on the stand i posted asking if her hair was a wig. it was so stylish. some that had experience in the hair business posted that they thought it was her real hair. i thought it was a wig. of course nothing like the wigs PS was wearing.


I suppose Diane Ogden-Halder could have been wearing a wig....

Surely the cause of death, if due to natural causes or disease, would have been specified on the death certificate and labeled private if necessary. Seems kind of odd to me......

[ScottyDo]

lana killed herself, imo

[Intrigued]

I cannot remember if a change of venue was sought for the first Spector trial. Has there been any indication as to whether Spector will request a change of venue for his second trial?

[Try2Win]

I cannot remember if a change of venue was sought for the first Spector trial. Has there been any indication as to whether Spector will request a change of venue for his second trial?

I don't think there will be a change of venue. JMO

[TobyTiger]

I cannot remember if a change of venue was sought for the first Spector trial. Has there been any indication as to whether Spector will request a change of venue for his second trial?
Haven't heard anything regarding that and doubt he'd want a COV. His best chance for a favorable outcome for himself is in downtown L.A.

[raptor22]

Just as a reminder - there is a Discovery hearing scheduled this Fri. March 7 for the upcoming retrial. Keep your heads up for details since the chance of it being major news is doubtful.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7136092.stm

[bambam]

Judge Larry Fidler has set a hearing for 7 March to check on Mr Plourd's caseload, while a date to determine when a trial will take place has been scheduled for 22 May.

[Try2Win]

any live feeds to this would be appreciated. :girl_haha:

[StoneFox]

Did the March 7 hearing take place? I can't find anything about it online. Maybe it got delayed again. Tragedy the second trial will take a year to come about. Is it 5+ years since Lana's death? :girl_sad:

:1222423:

[TobyTiger]

SPECTOR TRYING TO GET JUDGE REMOVED (http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-spector,0,4507695.story)

Defense attorneys for Phil Spector have submitted court papers seeking to have Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler removed from the music producer's pending murder case.

The attorneys claim the judge should be disqualified because his rulings during Spector's first trial could reasonably raise doubts about his impartiality.

Spector is charged with fatally shooting 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson through the mouth in his Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.

He maintains she committed suicide.

His first criminal trial ended in a mistrial on Sept. 26 when the jury deadlocked, 10-2 in favor of conviction.

A new trial date has not yet been set, but a pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 28.

[johnielee333]

hey all! can't wait for this one to start!! :basic44:

:0012: hi bambam ! i cant either ! HE'S GUILTY !

[StoneFox]

SPECTOR TRYING TO GET JUDGE REMOVED (http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-spector,0,4507695.story)

Defense attorneys for Phil Spector have submitted court papers seeking to have Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler removed from the music producer's pending murder case.

The attorneys claim the judge should be disqualified because his rulings during Spector's first trial could reasonably raise doubts about his impartiality.

Spector is charged with fatally shooting 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson through the mouth in his Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.

He maintains she committed suicide.

His first criminal trial ended in a mistrial on Sept. 26 when the jury deadlocked, 10-2 in favor of conviction.

A new trial date has not yet been set, but a pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 28.

Thanks Toby :happy0207:

So now it's March 28th for the next hearing. Looks like they continue trying every trick in the book to delay the trial. I get so frustrated with the way PS is able to manipulate the system. :mad:

[StoneFox]

One more thought. I hope the jury consultant for the prosecution in PS2 has fully studied the errors they made in the last jury selection process. The former jury consultant for the prosecution insisted on seating Juror #10, going against Aj and Pat intuition about that juror. IIRC, there was an argument with the consultant about seating #10. The prosecutors finally conceded and went with the consultant trusting they knew better about judging the jurors.

I hope the prosecutors used the now famous words of Donald Trump when they reviewed the juror selection with the consultant, "YOU'RE FIRED!"

JMO

[CopperDog]

Thanks Tellittrue for starting this thread, and thanks to you Harlett.
This is one trial I can't wait for to start. Watched the first one from beginning to end, still get upset over it being a hung jury. PS has been a free man way too long. JMO

[sunstar]

Thanks TobyTiger for posting the new article ~ I can't believe he'd be successful in removing Judge Fidler! I've never seen a more patient and reasonable judge and Spector got a completely fair trial, imo.

[TobyTiger]

SPECTOR'S NEW DEFENSE TEAM WON'T BE READY UNTIL FALL (http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_8730330)

LOS ANGELES—Phil Spector made a brief court appearance Friday and his new lawyer said he could not be ready for the music producer's murder retrial until September at the earliest.
A bid by the defense to remove Los Angeles County Superior Court Fidler was rejected by the judge. Spector's attorney, Doron Weinberg, said they were appealing that decision.

Fidler set another hearing for May 22, when a new trial date could be set.

Spector, 67, agreed to the delay.

Weinberg told the judge there were no discovery disputes between the defense and the prosecution. He also said he had finished reading the transcript of Spector's first trial and would probably add some experts to the witness list.

Spector's first trial ended in September 2007 when the jury deadlocked. Spector, famed for his "Wall of Sound" recording technique, is accused of killing actress Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.

Clarkson, 40, was working as a hostess at the House of Blues when she met Spector and went home with him. The actress best known for her role in "Barbarian Queen" died of a gunshot fired inside her mouth while she was seated in a foyer of Spector's mansion.

At the first trial, the prosecution claimed Spector shot her and had a history of threatening women with guns; the defense argued Clarkson shot herself, either accidentally or by suicide.

more at the link

[sunstar]

I wonder what new experts Weinberg has in mind? Will he replace Baden and Di Maio with others? Or will he add some to try to prove Lana was suicidal? For anyone local, does it appear Weinberg will be handling most of the trial? :0009:

[StoneFox]

I wonder what new experts Weinberg has in mind? Will he replace Baden and Di Maio with others? Or will he add some to try to prove Lana was suicidal? For anyone local, does it appear Weinberg will be handling most of the trial? :0009:

Hiya sunstar :0012:

I'm kinda thinking Weinberg doesn't want the same fasco happening with the former experts. These guys weren't credible in the first trial, according to some of the jurors. I'm betting Weinberg doesn't want their names mentioned in the second trial.

JMO~

[Pauli]

Spector defense team not ready 'til fall

LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent Sat Mar 29, 12:22 AM ET

LOS ANGELES - Phil Spector made a brief court appearance Friday in which his new lawyer said he could not be ready for the music producer's murder retrial until September at the earliest.

The lawyer also filed a writ asking that a neutral judge be appointed to decide if Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler should be disqualified from Spector's second trial because of alleged bias.

Fidler earlier rejected the bid to remove him, saying he was impartial in the case and that it was too late to file such a motion.

Spector's attorney, Doron Weinberg, filed a 44-page motion last week listing numerous alleged acts of bias by the judge. They included the imposition of a gag order limited to Spector's wife and a potential defense witness, as well as his decision to withdraw a jury instruction and craft a new one after jurors first announced they were deadlocked.

Weinberg said in the writ to the California 2nd District Court of Appeal that California law prohibits a judge from ruling on his or her own disqualification motion.

At Friday's court session, Fidler set another hearing for May 22, when a new trial date could be set.

Spector, 67, agreed to the delay.

Spector's first trial ended in September 2007 when the jury deadlocked. Spector, famed for his "Wall of Sound" recording technique, is accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080329/ap_en_ce/phil_spector

[Lynn Gweeny]

Commentary: Tick tock, Mr. Spector
Posted: 09:45 AM ET

NEW YORK – So Phil Spector wants a new judge for his new trial, does he?

The latest figure to be blamed for everything that’s wrong with Spector’s wilting life is the Honorable Judge Larry Paul Fidler, who patiently presided over his trial for five long months last year.

It seems Mr. Spector doesn’t think the good judge was good enough.

But Spector’s complaints don’t end there, nor do his efforts to dole out blame for his miserable lot and defame all those involved.

It wasn’t good enough that his first trial ended with a hung jury.

It wasn’t good enough that his own lawyers secured him that deadlock, because he’s gone ahead and replaced every single one of them.

It wasn’t good enough that Spector besmirched Lana Clarkson’s memory while insisting during his defense that she simply shot herself in the mouth while waiting to leave his California mansion, purse slung over her shoulder.

It wasn’t good enough that he cast aspersions upon five women who had their deep, dark and embarrassing secrets unearthed during the prosecution’s case because they, too, had looked down the barrel of Phil Spector’s various guns while trying to end a bad date with him.

It wasn’t good enough that the renowned forensic scientist, Dr Henry Lee, came to Spector’s defense, because Spector’s own incessant legal wrangling caused Lee’s credibility to be thrashed in court.

It wasn’t good enough that Spector’s immigrant driver offered no embellishment when recounting seeing Spector with blood on his hand, holding a gun, and saying “I think I just killed somebody.” Instead, Adriano De Souza offered only the facts, and no more, even though he was so afraid for his own life he sped out of the driveway while dialing police. Spector’s reaction? This military veteran who excelled in advanced English classes had his reputation reduced to that of a dumb fool who doesn’t know guns, and doesn’t speak English well enough to be believed.

If all that weren’t enough, it’s now it’s the judge’s fault that Spector didn’t get everything he’s used to having — a room full of sycophantic people who tell him he can do (and has done) no wrong.

Bring on round two, whoever the judge may be. It only takes one person to hang a jury, and for a fleeting instant, that’s exactly what Spector got. One man — Juror Number 10 — who for some reason bought into Spector’s expensive defense.

It’s unlikely the music legend will see this chorus repeated.

Even though Spector just keeps spending his way out of a giant, roiling, wake of broken people, defamed professionals, jilted lawyers, weak arguments and disappointed music lovers, the evidence is what it is.

Message to Mr. Music: Here’s what’s up, Pussycat. Your nine legal lives are almost over.

– Ashleigh Banfield, In Session anchor

http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/30/commentary-tick-tock-mr-spector/

[Intrigued]

Hiya sunstar :0012:

I'm kinda thinking Weinberg doesn't want the same fasco happening with the former experts. These guys weren't credible in the first trial, according to some of the jurors. I'm betting Weinberg doesn't want their names mentioned in the second trial.

JMO~

It will be very interesting to see which experts Weinberg will utilize in the new trial and which theory or theories they will testify to. No doubt the prosecution is working very hard to be prepared for any games the defense brings on...and we all know they will stop at nothing to get Spector off....

[True2Blues]

It will be very interesting to see which experts Weinberg will utilize in the new trial and which theory or theories they will testify to. No doubt the prosecution is working very hard to be prepared for any games the defense brings on...and we all know they will stop at nothing to get Spector off....

Spector likes to be in control and yes, the last trial proved that there's nothing so low he won't try it to save his neck. Too bad for him that the Prosecution still has all of the evidence against him.

[RayStar]

Is there a legal limit as to how long these delays can go on?

[StoneFox]

Is there a legal limit as to how long these delays can go on?

I don't think so, as long as they appear in court within a 60 day period of the last court appearance. I just wish the judge would say enough of this carp~~~let's get this party started.

[PatC]

Personally, I thought the judge did an excellent job of trying to be fair in the first trial. He was the first judge I ever saw who would clearly listen closely to the arguments on a ruling and actually reverse himself right then and there.

He reminded me of an executive I was proud to work with years ago who said one time, that he refused to be held to a decision he made when he didn't have all the facts.

I have to agree though that pretty much any judge will do because IMO in the next trial Spector is going down!

[Try2Win]

I think this trial would be more interesting if there was a female judge ruling the next trial. JMO

[PatC]

I think this trial would be more interesting if there was a female judge ruling the next trial. JMO


I like that idea! :zm10:

[johnielee333]

he is guilty !!!

[sunstar]

Hiya sunstar :0012:

I'm kinda thinking Weinberg doesn't want the same fasco happening with the former experts. These guys weren't credible in the first trial, according to some of the jurors. I'm betting Weinberg doesn't want their names mentioned in the second trial.

JMO~
Hi Katy! :0012: It really will be interesting who they come up with this time for experts and how they'll prove Lana committed suicide. I think the most important thing would be to discredit the state's witnesses regarding the blood spatter and show how depressed Lana was. Good luck to them! :girl_haha:

[sunstar]

I think this trial would be more interesting if there was a female judge ruling the next trial. JMO
Oh it would be but I loved Judge Fidler!! :D

[TobyTiger]

PROSECUTORS DEFEND JUDGE IN SPECTOR TRIAL (http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9238247?nclick_check=1)

LOS ANGELES—The District Attorney's office, rising to the defense of the judge who presided at the deadlocked Phil Spector murder trial, has asked the California Supreme Court to reject a defense motion to disqualify the judge from presiding over the second trial.

In a 35-page brief filed Friday and released late Monday, head Deputy District Attorney Lael R. Rubin and Deputy District Attorney Phyllis C. Asayama said rulings during the trial by Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler were "scrupulously fair to the defendant."

They also argued that the motion to remove Fidler was untimely and should have been filed during the trial.

"No actions by the court demonstrated bias and no claim of bias was ever made by counsel who were present during the proceedings," said the brief.

Spector changed lawyers after the jury deadlocked last September. His new defense team is seeking to remove Fidler from the retrial on grounds that his rulings demonstrated bias against the defendant. No new trial date has been set.

The defense argued that Fidler's rulings were designed to ensure Spector's conviction, in part to counter media reports that a celebrity could not be convicted in a Los Angeles court.

Fidler denied the first motion to remove him. A subsequent appeal to the 2nd District Court of Appeal was denied without hearing. The defense then went to the California Supreme Court, which asked for briefs on the issue.

more at the link

[Cat]

TobyTiger, are you going to join us in the forum here when this second trial finally gets started?

[TobyTiger]

TobyTiger, are you going to join us in the forum here when this second trial finally gets started?

Greetings, Cat!

As much as possible!


PHIL SPECTOR SET FOR NEW MURDER TRIAL IN SEPTEMBER (http://uk.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUKN2251760420080522)

By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Los Angeles judge on Thursday set a September date for pioneering rock producer Phil Spector's second trial on charges that he murdered actress Lana Clarkson in the foyer of his mock castle in 2003.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler ordered Spector to stand trial beginning on September 29 in the high-profile case.

The jury in Spector's first trial deadlocked 10-2 in favour of a guilty verdict in September 2007, forcing Fidler to declare a mistrial, but prosecutors immediately said they would bring the case again.

Most of Spector's defence team quit in October causing delays in the retrial. The new defence team is seeking to have Fidler removed from the case, claiming he is biased against the 68-year-old rock producer.

Clarkson, 40, was found dead of a gunshot to the mouth early on the morning of February 3, 2003 after Spector's driver called police to say that the record producer had killed someone.

more at the link

[sunstar]

I'm so glad Judge Fidler set a trial date! I hope nothing delays it. :)

[StoneFox]

5.5 years of freedom is what money can buy the guilty, IMO!

:madranting94dp:

[sunstar]

5.5 years of freedom is what money can buy the guilty, IMO!

:madranting94dp:

Hi Katy! :0012: I hear that! Anyone else would've been in jail before the trial too.

[Boscorelli]

What I think will happen before Sept. Phil Spector will accept a prosecution sweet heart deal.
Admit he shot her,because they were both drunk without prison time.
De Sousa the Limo driver stated he saw and heard Spector admit he shot her.
I will call this an accidental shooting;both parties were drunk and their personal issues became blurred.
The Phil Spector,spectacle was the last live trial I watched on COURT TV before it was renamed TRUTV.
Boscorelli

[TobyTiger]

What I think will happen before Sept. Phil Spector will accept a prosecution sweet heart deal.
Admit he shot her,because they were both drunk without prison time.
De Sousa the Limo driver stated he saw and heard Spector admit he shot her.
I will call this an accidental shooting;both parties were drunk and their personal issues became blurred.
The Phil Spector,spectacle was the last live trial I watched on COURT TV before it was renamed TRUTV.
Boscorelli
In a perfect world, he'd admit that he pulled the trigger. However, he's already spent several thousand dollars on defense attorneys attempting to convince a jury Lana committed suicide...unless he's out of money I doubt he'll change his plea now.

[Boscorelli]

Hi Toby Tiger
The strongest prosecution witness is De Sousa;and one of the 5 women,who testified that he terrorized her with a gun and she was not permitted to leave.
The main problem here is that both parties are drunk,both in a bad mood,have serious emotional problems;and Lana has dire financial problems to boot.
Had Lana simply turned down Spector,like the waitress did,she would be alive today.
In my opinon,Lana was an impulseive woman who never thought about 'consequences';and that night she bought into Spector's package deal of fame.
In a rather odd term of circumstances,she Lana, has gotten the fame she sought after;but not the way she had pictured herself.
I will just read about this case,on our message board and go on with my life.
Have a nice day Boscorelli

[TobyTiger]

Hi Toby Tiger
The strongest prosecution witness is De Sousa;and one of the 5 women,who testified that he terrorized her with a gun and she was not permitted to leave.
The main problem here is that both parties are drunk,both in a bad mood,have serious emotional problems;and Lana has dire financial problems to boot.
Had Lana simply turned down Spector,like the waitress did,she would be alive today.
In my opinon,Lana was an impulseive woman who never thought about 'consequences';and that night she bought into Spector's package deal of fame.
In a rather odd term of circumstances,she Lana, has gotten the fame she sought after;but not the way she had pictured herself.
I will just read about this case,on our message board and go on with my life.
Have a nice day Boscorelli

Not sure Lana was impulsive or had serious emotional problems...just bought in to Spector being a 'good guy' for whatever reason. We don't know what he may have said to her prior to her going to his house, except through DeSousa it appears he had to coax her into doing so, for "one drink". She had also been told by the HOB to treat the members as "gold". Probably thought she should go with him....which turned out to be a fatal mistake.

[vonna]

In a perfect world, he'd admit that he pulled the trigger. However, he's already spent several thousand dollars on defense attorneys attempting to convince a jury Lana committed suicide...unless he's out of money I doubt he'll change his plea now.

Several thousand? You mean several million, don't you?

[sunstar]

California Supreme Court declines to take Spector case

3 days ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to take up Phil Spector's claim that the judge who presided over his deadlocked murder trial was biased against him and should be disqualified from handling his second trial.

The notice on the Supreme Court Web site said: "Petition for review denied." It noted that Chief Justice Ronald George was absent and did not participate in the decision.

The action clears the way for Spector's second trial to proceed. It is scheduled for Sept. 29 with a pretrial hearing on July 29.

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler, who presided at the first trial, rejected the defense claims months ago and signed a declaration that he was not biased or prejudiced against any party in the case.

more at : http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g93Q_UR0CRpFh-FS-4UbHXxI-dvAD91HGC1G0

[Intrigued]

I could not get on this site for several weeks for some reason which seemed to be related to hacking...1) I'm so glad to be able to get back and and 2) I am very glad to hear that a new date for Spector's re-trial is now scheduled. Once the trial starts, I hope to be able to join you here to discuss!

[Baranis]

Spector's Singers file Lawsuit.
http://www.tmz.com/2008/07/08/spectors-singers-bunch-of-stiffs/

[bambam]

this was posted by GPSpector just last night on the IS board:


The last I heard, the Start date was pushed to sometime in October but I was not able to get an exact date and even if I had one, it would probably change anyway due to the Defences appeals and motions.

as for any live feed, still no word yet. :-(



so that means the sept 29 date is no longer valid????? aarrggh!!

[Try2Win]

Hang in there, for all we know, it could be held up until next year.

[bambam]

Motions Denied

Trial Date Changed to October 2nd

A series of pretrial motions were heard Tuesday, July 29th, and were denied with a promise from Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler, to reconsider some of his rulings if it becomes necessary during Spector's re-trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson.

Judge Fidler rejected a defense claim that Spector will be in double jeopardy if the jury considers the lesser included offenses of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. In the first trial, he had ruled there was insufficient evidence for jurors to find Spector guilty of those crimes.

The trial will be delayed a few days from originally stated. It is now moved to start on October 2nd, with the second jury draw on October 3rd. The jurors will receive their questionnaires on those dates. The jurors will then return on October 14th (the day after a holiday, Columbus Day) for voir dire. All motions need to be presented and argued before that date.

Depending on how long voir dire will take, the trial may not start until early November.

**heavy sigh**

[StoneFox]

Will this man NEVER go to trial again?

It is so frustrating to see him get away with all the delays and rescheduling.

:0001: :71541: :104511: :madranting94dp:

[TobyTiger]

JUDGE WILL ALLOW WOMEN TO TESTIFY AGAINST SPECTOR (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080915-2103-ca-philspector.html)

9:03 p.m. September 15, 2008

LOS ANGELES – A judge says five women who testified that Phil Spector threatened them with a gun in the music producer's first murder trial will testify again in his second trial. Spector is charged with murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler decided not to rule Monday on a motion to introduce the testimony of a sixth woman, Norma Kemper.

Fidler rejected the prosecution's motion to allow testimony about four other gun incidents involving Spector, and his two gun-related misdemeanor convictions.

The 68-year-old Spector and his attorneys say Clarkson committed suicide. In his first trial last September, jurors deadlocked 10-2 in favor of his guilt.

Jury selection for the second trial begins Oct. 2.

more at the link