Spector to stand trial for murder

MUSIC legend Phil Spector has been ordered by a US grand jury to stand trial for murder.

The record producer was indicted by the grand jury, meaning lengthy preliminary hearings over evidence will not be necessary.

Spector, aged 64, has denied shooting dead 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson in 2003. He is on bail.

Spector is expected to enter a plea next Monday in Los Angeles following the grand jury decision, which was made earlier this week.

“Why not have an open, public preliminary hearing and let the people see for themselves that there’s no case here?” Spector’s lawyer, Bruce Cutler, told the New York Post.

Mr Cutler could not be reached for independent confirmation of the report.