Forty plus years ago, radio had one of its greatest producers of pop and rock in the history of American music. Phil Spector’s name was tagged to great hits like “Be My Baby” by the legendary Ronettes, “You Lost That Loving Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers, and just about every song the Crystals sang such as “The Do Ron Ron.”
Despite his success, Phil Spector had a vicious side, especially when he drank. His estranged wife Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes left him because of his binge drinking and violent past. Ike and Tina Turner even had their rounds with Mr. Spector. Even though he was a genius in the studio, Spector was a fierce businessman that many didn’t want to tangle with; it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
In 2003, the hall of fame producer was at a bar where he picked up Lana Clarkson; he took her home to his mansion where she allegedly committed suicide. Spector’s testimony was that she asked to see his gun, and upon showing it to her, she ate the barrel and pulled the trigger killing herself in his home.
The prosecutor had a different story. With a parade of witnesses, he told a tale of Spector’s drunken temperament. The prosecutor claimed that if someone wanted to leave Spector’s mansion and he wasn’t ready to let them go, he would hold the person at gunpoint.
In the first trial, the jury was deadlocked and deemed a mistrial. Spector got off easy, but was then retried this year in a lesser sentence of second degree murder. The first trial was indeed for first degree murder which stood to send Spector to death row.
On Monday, April 13, 2009, a jury convicted Mr. Spector of second degree murder of Lana Clarkson. This sentence could land this hall of fame producer in jail for a minimum of eighteen years; fifteen years for second degree murder and three additional years for using a gun. It took 30 hours for the jury to come up with their verdict, unlike the week for the first trial. Spector showed no emotion as the verdict was read, but it’s been said his lawyers would sedate him due to his aggressive nature.
The judge remanded Spector to jail instantly, but his lawyers tried hard to convince the judge to let him go free on bail until the sentencing on May 30th. The judge denied the claim and Mr. Spector is sitting in a California prison tonight.
Phil Spector will be 88 when he’s eligible for parole; he has to serve a minimum of eighteen years to life. He probably will never see the light of day again, and women everywhere can rest easier knowing this crazed maniac is behind bars.
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