Spector Walks After Mistrial

Judge declares mistrial as 2 jurors hold out against majority
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 26, 2007 7:00 PM CDT
Spector Walks After Mistrial
Music producer Phil Spector, middle, escorted by unidentified Los Angeles Sheriffs, and his bodyguards, leaves the Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. The murder trial of music producer Phil Spector ended in a mistrial Wednesday because of a deadlocked jury. (AP Photo/Damian...   (Associated Press)

Jurors announced a 10 to 2 deadlock in the Phil Spector trial today after more than 2 weeks of deliberations, sparking the judge to declare a mistrial. The jury was split more evenly a week ago, and did not reveal the position of its 2 holdouts. As Spector went home, prosecutors vowed to seek a new trial in the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, the BBC reports.

Spector's murder case, which could give him 15 years to life, hinges on the testimony of a chauffeur who says Spector confessed. But questioned later, the man admitted to not remembering his exact words. Spector's lawyer pointed out the lack of forensic evidence linking Spector to the death of Clarkson, a down-on-her-luck actress. (More Phil Spector stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X