Jurors screened for Spector murder trial

Prospective jurors for record producer Phil Spector’s murder trial were told that they would remain anonymous to the public for their own privacy and they should not think they were in any danger.

“We don’t have your names. You are basically a numbered code,” Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said.

Spector is accused of murdering “B” movie actress Lana Clarkson, who was shot in the foyer of Spector’s Alhambra home on February 3, 2003. He has pleaded not guilty.

Judge Fidler stressed yesterday that court security precautions such as metal detectors were not aimed at Spector’s trial.

“I’ve been part of the system for over 30 years,” said the judge. “No juror has ever been threatened. That’s Hollywood.”

He told jurors that if they watched crime shows they were probably familiar with plots involving jurors in danger or jurors helping to solve a case. That, he said, would not be part of Spector’s trial.

The initial phase of jury selection began with 150 prospective jurors screened for hardship. Most advanced to the next phase, which involves filling out an 18-page questionnaire.

A new panel of 75 prospective jurors was brought in today. Of those, about half indicated they had difficulties that would prevent them from serving on the projected four-month case.

Several said they were stay-at-home mothers who had to be with their children. They were excused.

One excused by the judge identified himself as a solicitor representing a defendant in the prosecution of high-profile private eye Anthony Pellicano, who is accused of wiretapping a billionaire’s ex-wife and Hollywood stars.

However, the judge refused to dismiss an immigrant who said he had a problem understanding everything said in court.

Asked how long he has been in the US, the man said 20 years.

“And where do you work?” asked the judge.

“The post office,” the prospect replied.

“You are not excused,” said the judge.

Completed questionnaires will be given to the prosecution and defence to study before the prospective jurors return to court for individual questioning on April 16.

Spector and his wife watched the proceedings with three burly bodyguards who accompany them everywhere.

Jurors will be asked to decide whether Spector was responsible for the death of Clarkson, 40, who was shot in the face.

Clarkson 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 when she went home with Spector.

Police found Clarkson slumped dead in a chair, her teeth blown out by a gunshot to her mouth. The coroner’s office called it a homicide – “death by the hand of another” – but also noted that Clarkson had gunshot residue on both of her hands and may have pulled the trigger.

In an email to friends, Spector, 66, called the death “an accidental suicide”. Spector has been free on $1m (€750,000) bail since his arrest. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Spector, who created the “wall of sound” that revolutionised the recording of rock music, produced the Beatles’ Let It Be album, and has been cited as an influence by Bruce Springsteen and countless other artists. He also wrote such rock classics as Be My Baby, You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling and River Deep-Mountain High.