Spector murder trial delayed

Testimony in Phil Spector's murder trial has been cancelled until Wednesday because one of his attorneys had to see a doctor and immigration rallies were planned in the Los Angeles city centre area.

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler did not say why defence attorney Bruce Cutler had to see a doctor, but he told the jury that court would reconvene on Wednesday.

The session was also cancelled because of planned immigration reform rallies in the downtown area.

Last year's rally drew hundreds of thousands of people. Although the turnout this year is uncertain, the judge said courts were asked to cancel nonessential matters.

Before dismissing the jury, the judge also asked if any jurors had seen CBS' 48 Hours last week.

The show was not about the Spector case but included one of the prosecutors, Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson.

None of the jurors indicated they had seen the program.

Spector is accused of murder in the February 3, 2003, shooting of actress Lana Clarkson at his home.

The judge noted that jurors had not been forbidden to watch that show but advised them to avoid any rerun or any program about attorneys in the Spector case.

The judge also indicated that two defence witnesses had made television appearances and in one case there was agreement that the witness had spoken about the Spector case, but there was dispute about whether the other witness had done so. He ordered attorneys to make sure witnesses did not speak about the case.