AP News, February 7th, 2007
The judge in the slaying case against music producer Phil Spector said Wednesday he's leaning toward allowing the trial to be televised and will make a decision after hearing from lawyers later this month.
The 67-year-old producer _ famed for creating the "wall of sound" recording technique that revolutionized rock music _ is charged with killing actress Lana Clarkson in his suburban mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.
"This is a trial of public interest," said Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler. "I always have a problem with commentators telling people what is going on rather than letting the public see the trial for themselves. I'm a firm believer in having the public see it."
Attorneys said they wanted time to consider the proposal, although Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney, said prosecutors do not oppose it. The next pretrial hearing is set for Feb. 16.
Spector, who did not attend the hearing, has pleaded not guilty and is free on $1 million bail.
He faces life in prison if convicted. Jury selection is set to begin March 19.
Clarkson, 40, was best known as the star of Roger Corman's cult film "Barbarian Queen." She was working as a hostess at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip and went home with Spector the night she was killed, police said. Authorities were called when a limousine driver heard a gun go off.
Spector, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was the producer of such classic hits as "Be My Baby," "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling."
