Spector bailed on murder charge

LEGENDARY record producer Phil Spector has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was found shot dead inside his mansion in Los Angeles.

He was freed after posting $1 million bail, authorities said.

Spector, 62, whose "wall of sound" technique transformed 1960s pop music, had been arrested before dawn on Monday after the body of 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson was found, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Richard Westin said.

Authorities wouldn't comment on her occupation or what her relationship was with Spector.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Lieutenant Daniel Rosenberg said Clarkson was found in the foyer of the mansion, which is 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles. He said deputies found the weapon used in the slaying but declined to say where in the house it was located.

The call reporting that shots had been fired came from inside the residence, Lt Rosenberg said. Authorities towed away a black Mercedes-Benz.

"I heard the boom, boom, boom. It was about three or four shots," neighbour Terrie Arias told Los Angeles television station KNBC. "I just ignored them because I never thought it was a shooting."

Spector lived alone and didn't have a girlfriend, according to close friend Marvin Mitchelson, a prominent Los Angeles attorney. According to records, Spector bought the house in 1998 for $1.1 million.

Mr Mitchelson said he and Spector had been trying to put together a movie about Spector's life.

"His mental state has been great very rational, very together, super intelligent, a very funny man," the attorney said.

Attorney Robert Shapiro, whose clients have included OJ Simpson, was representing Spector.

"I don't know answers to any of this," Mr Shapiro said from the Alhambra Police Department before Spector's release.

"I don't think he would hurt a fly. Until anything happens, you're innocent until you're proven guilty. I don't think Phil had it in him to murder anybody," Marky Ramone, drummer for rock group the Ramones, told the Fox News Channel.

A 1995 biography by Rolling Stone magazine said the producer at times displayed near-psychotic and abusive behaviour.

"It had to stop," Spector said of his behaviour in a 1977 Los Angeles Times interview. "Being the rich millionaire in the mansion and then dressing up as Batman. I have to admit I did enjoy it to a certain extent. But I began to realise it was very unhealthy."

Spector's session players, known as the "Wrecking Crew" included guitarist Glen Campbell, pianist Leon Russell, drummer Hal Blaine and the late husband of Cher, Sonny Bono.

In 1989, the eccentric producer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.