New blow to Spector defense in ongoing murder trial

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Music producer Phil Spector was dealt a blow in his murder trial here Monday when the judge refused to admit as evidence writings from his alleged victim in which she discusses suicide.

"I don't consider anything in this particular document significant," Judge Larry Fidler told the court of the manuscript written by B-movie actress Lana Clarkson.

Spector, 67, is alleged to have gunned down Clarkson at his Los Angeles mansion in February 2003 just hours after meeting her in a Hollywood nightclub.

He denies the charges of second-degree murder, and Spector and his defense team have argued at the trial which started on April 30 that the 40-year-old Clarkson was drunk and depressed and killed herself in his home.

The defense had sought...