Saying that it was time Los Angeles got over the problems having cameras in the courtroom caused during the O.J. Simpson trial, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler ruled for full television coverage of rock producer Phil Spector's murder trial. Jury selection is scheduled for March 19.

Referring to the 1995 Simpson trial, Judge Fidler said it was time "fear of cameras in the courtroom" was put in the past. "They don't want what happened to Judge Ito to happen to them," Fidler said of Los Angeles judges. "In essence, what nobody wants is another Simpson ... In my mind, at some point we have to get past that trial."

Fidler said if television coverage got to be a problem, he would "pull the plug."

Court TV plans to broadcast the Spector trial. The network will also carry live coverage of the murder trial of John Evander Couey for the death of Jessica Lunsford, in which jury selection has already begun.

Spector is charged with shooting Lana Clarkson (pictured) to death in the foyer of his mansion on February 3, 2003. She died from a gunshot wound in the mouth.

Background:
The Phil Spector Case
See Also:
L.A. Judge Allows TV Cameras at Phil Spector Trial