Phil Spector retrial: Defence claims actress shot herself in mouth

SIX years after actress Lana Clarkson died in Phil Spector’s mansion, the jury in the Wall of Sound producer’s second murder trial were expected to begin deliberations last night.

Forensic evidence in Spector’s murder retrial proves he is not guilty of the shooting death of a Hollywood actress six years ago, his lawyer told the jury.

Making his closing arguments after a five-month long retrial, defence attorney Doron Weinberg said the dead woman, Lana Clarkson, shot herself in the mouth and there were no traces of Spector’s DNA on the gun. “Phillip Spector did not kill Lana Clarkson. That’s what the evidence shows,” he told the jury. “The forensic evidence shows that Phillip Spector is innocent,” he said, listing 14 pieces of scientific evidence used by the defence. Spector’s lawyers have argued Clarkson was depressed over her faltering career as a B-movie actress.