New Phil Spector Jury Hears Opening Statements

Prosecutors opened the second Phil Spector murder trial much like they opened the first one, describing the death of actress Lana Clarkson in the foyer of Spector's mansion in 2003 and painting the famed music producer as an eccentric who repeatedly threatened women and pointed guns at them.

Prosecutor Alan Jackson told jurors that Spector could become "very sinister, very violent and very deadly" when he was drunk.

During his opening statement, Jackson showed the jury photographs of five women from Spector's past who have testified previously about being threatened by him. He also showed the jury a video of the previous testimony of one witness who died since her previous testimony.

Defense attorney Doron Weinberg attacked the prosecution's statement as an attack on Spector's character rather than trying the case based on the facts.

No Evidence of Firing the Gun

"This is turning into the trial of his character, which this court knows is clearly unconstitutional and impermissible," Weinberg told Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler.

Weinberg moved for a mistrial, but his motion was denied by Judge Fidler.

During his opening, Weinberg told the jury that forensic analysis of blood spatter and gunshot residue would prove that Spector did not fire the gun that killed Clarkson. As in the first trial, the defense said Clarkson was despondent over her fading career and committed suicide.

Last year, a mistrial was declared in Spector's first trial for second-degree murder when jurors deadlocked.

See Also:
New Jury Hears Arguments in Spector Retrial

Background:
The Murder of Lana Clarkson
The Phil Spector Case

Forum:
Discuss The Phil Spector Case

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^{Photo: Jamie Rector / Getty Images}