Murder charge Spector thought he had 'killed somebody'

Legendary record producer Phil Spector, charged with murdering an actress at his California mansion, told his chauffeur that night that he thought he had “killed somebody,” according to a police report.

Pop music’s one-time whiz kid, whose Wall of Sound brought a symphonic feeling to rock’n roll, was charged yesterday with murdering Lana Clarkson, 40.

Spector, 63, acknowledged the charges when he appeared in a Los Angeles court and waived his right to a speedy trial.

He was ordered to return to court on January 23 for a preliminary hearing.

The producer, who has worked with the Beatles, the Ronettes, Righteous Brothers and many others, suggested earlier this year that Clarkson may have shot herself.

But, according to police records obtained by the Los Angeles Times, he talked to his chauffeur that night, telling him: “I think I killed somebody.”

The chauffeur, identified only as Souza, told authorities he came to the mansion’s back door after hearing a boom and saw Clarkson, her face bloody, seated in a chair.

Before the report was published, defence lawyer Robert Shapiro issued a statement declaring Spector’s innocence.

“We have assembled a team of scientific experts which is among the most respected and prestigious in the world,” Shapiro said. “Based on this team’s findings of this horrible human event, any jury will conclude that Phil Spector is not guilty.”

The charge, filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office did not specify whether prosecutors will seek a first or second-degree murder conviction.

A first-degree murder charge involves premeditation while a second-degree charge does not.

District attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said either charge carries a possible maximum penalty of life in prison with a possibility of parole.

Spector, who has been free on £600,000 bail, was also charged with personally using a handgun in commission of a crime, an enhancement that could add more time to a sentence if he is convicted.

Spector became legendary in the music business for transforming the sound of rock’n roll with heavy orchestration. He once said he was creating symphonies for teenagers. He produced such pop music classics as Da Doo Ron Ron, Then He Kissed Me and To Know Him Is to Love Him.

Clarkson was discovered by B-movie king Roger Corman and starred in a series of films including Barbarian Queen.