How about that wacky Phil Spector & his murder trial?

Arts & Sciences Arts & Entertainment
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In case you didn’t know, Phil Spector is one of the greatest musical producers and songwriters in modern history, having pioneered the famous “wall of sound” production technique; produced numerous best-selling records by artists such as Ike and Tina Turner, the Beatles, John Lennon, the Ronettes, the Ramones, Celine Dion and Cher; written songs such as “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” (the song with the most US airplay in the 20th century); and even had a cameo appearance as a drug dealer in the film, Easy Rider.

He’s also on trial for shooting to death a b-movie actress, something he has reportedly threatened to do to various musicians in the past, including John Lennon, DeeDee Ramone and Leonard Cohen, and many ex-wives and ex-girlfriends.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Spector

And then there’s the hair.

Here he’s being escorted to court by his latest wife and his bodyguard.

A toned down look:

But the judge doesn’t seem amused (hair envy?):

So, apparently he has removed the fro and is looking a little more subdued (although he looks like he could stand to get outside more and get some sunshine).

Here’s a few tidbits from his past (according to Wikipedia):

[quote]Spector’s domineering attitude toward Ronnie Spector led to the dissolution of their marriage. Ronnie Spector has claimed that Spector showed her a gold coffin with a glass top in his basement, promising to kill and display her should she ever choose to leave him. . .

During Spector’s reclusive period in the late 1960s, he reportedly kept his wife locked inside their mansion. She claimed he also hid her shoes to dissuade her from walking outside, and kept the house dark because he didn’t want anyone to see his balding head. Spector’s son later claimed that he was kept locked inside his room, with a pot in the corner to be used as a toilet. . .

Stories of Phil Spector’s gunplay mounted over the years, including his discharging a firearm while in the studio with John Lennon during the recording of his cover album Rock ‘n’ Roll, placing a loaded pistol at Leonard Cohen’s head during the sessions for Death of a Ladies’ Man, and forcing Dee Dee Ramone to play bass guitar to Spector’s specifications at gunpoint. Cohen told “Rolling Stone” magazine in 1978 that “Phil couldn’t resist annihilating me. I don’t think he can tolerate any other shadows in his darkness.”

The Ramones reportedly had to play the opening chord to the song “Rock and Roll High School” for eight hours straight; Years later, Johnny Ramone described Spector as “a little man with lifts in his shoes, the wig on top of his head and four guns.” But he also described the session philosophically: “It was a positive learning experience. And that chord does sound really good.” [/quote]

And here’s a little about the present case:

[quote]On February 3, 2003, Spector was arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of 40-year-old nightclub hostess and B movie-actress Lana Clarkson of Los Angeles was found at his faux-castle mansion (called Pyrenees Castle) in Alhambra, California. Police responded to a 9-1-1 phone call from Spector’s driver and discovered Clarkson, who had been shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene. On November 20, 2003, Spector was indicted for Clarkson’s murder.

Four weeks before the death of Clarkson, Spector stated in an interview with the British Daily Telegraph that he has bipolar disorder and that he considered himself “relatively insane”. In September 2004 he was ordered to stand trial in Los Angeles.

Spector has stated that Clarkson’s death was an accidental suicide . . .

So far Spector has gone through three attorneys. Defense attorney Robert Shapiro (an original O.J. Simpson “dream team” member) represented Spector at his arraignment and early pretrial hearings, and arranged for his release on ($1 million) bail. He was later replaced by Leslie Abramson and Marcia Morrissey. They, in turn, were later replaced by Bruce Cutler, the former longtime lawyer of New York City mafia boss John Gotti. Spector was also involved in a civil suit against Shapiro, who refused to return his $1 million retainer. . .[/quote]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Spector

Incidentally, I find it significant that his father committed suicide, as I understand mental illness is largely genetic.

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[quote=“Mother Theresa”] Here’s a few tidbits from his past (according to Wikipedia):

I believe that is what’s called a “red flag.”

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Not necessarily, however, suicide does tend to follow in families, which makes it a really shitty legacy.

HG

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No idea of it’s genetic, but being brought up by nutters must also have an effect in teaching a child certain behavioural patterns and responses to stress.

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Not necessarily, however, suicide does tend to follow in families, which makes it a really shitty legacy.

HG[/quote]

obviously only after they have reproduced or there wouldn’t be any of the the “suicide” genes left! :wink:

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Well, mix a possible emotional problem with enough money to have all the insane partying a guy could imagine and a guy who’s been getting away with this kind of behavior for years with his power and supposed skills, and you have a pretty volatile case on your hands. He probably thinks he’s above the law, and maybe he is. Lets see how it turns out.

I’m sure with those who knew him, not many people are surprised. He’ll probably get off with his good lawyers and money, like OJ did.

Maybe THEN someone will have the sense to take his guns away from him and take care of him a bit. Or throw him in the nuthouse.

Back in the day, those Rock stars really lived like rock stars. Sex, Drugs, And Rock And roll, and damn the torpedoes.

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He’s too weird looking. He’s definitely going to get the chair.

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Well for the hair and how he treated Ronnie all those years and all the musicians he ripped off he should swing.

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But just before he does, it would be sweet to get all the women he has so awfully terrorfied, and his son, and let them play Russian roulette with a gun shoved his arse.

Innocent until proven guiilty and all that, but the evidence is rather damning that this little Napolean complex is a prize prick.

HG

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I doubt it. As far as I know, OJ didn’t have a long, well-documented history of threatening people with knives – it was his deep, dark secret. Spector, on the other hand, has allegedly pointed guns in a threatening manner at so many people (I mentioned John Lennon, Dee Dee Ramone, Leonard Cohen and various ex wives and girlfriends before, but I forgot to mention Stevie Wonder and some violin player), that unlike Simpson’s case no one’s surprised; instead they’re all saying, “Finally. I’m just surprised it took so long.”

Also, while OJ’s a murderer, apparently he’s nowhere near as nutty as Spector. Consequently, Spector has retained the world’s best criminal defense lawyers (including Robert Shapiro, of OJ’s “dream team”, Leslie Abramson, who represented the Mendendez brothers among others, and Bruce Cutler, lawyer for mafia boss John Gotti), but he has gone through them sequentially. In other words, the attorneys find themselves unable to work with him, which is not a good sign for his defense.

And then there’s the fact that, unlike OJ, Spector walked out of the house with the gun in his hand and said “I think I killed someone.”

I don’t see any way out for him.

Nothing wrong with that. But that’s no reason to kill someone just because you’re too bald, short, insecure and crazy to turn her on.

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The Prosecutor


The Defendant

Closing arguments start tonight (Wed in California) in Phil Spector’s murder trial.
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gs9 … A1QkSqb2wA

I expect he’ll be found guilty before the week is over.

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In that bottom photo you can almost hear the machinations . . “I wish I had a gun right now, I’d show you!”

HG

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Guilty of 2d Degree Murder.

Here’s his latest mugshot. :eh:

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I wonder if he’s going to pack some nice little blonde wigs for prison?

HG

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How long do you guys think he will remain locked up?

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I don’t know much about criminal law, but I believe he’s 69 years old and the sentence for 2d degree murder is anywhere from 15 years to life. He’s obviously an extremely dangerous nutcase, has been for decades, it’s a miracle he never killed anyone before, and it would almost certainly be a mistake to let him out. . . ever. A sentence of 20 years with no chance of early release would mean he’s in there till age 89, unless he dies first. Perhaps that might be reasonable, but I really don’t know and of course it depends on the particular facts in his case and the sentencing guidelines.

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Is it possible to arrest his hair?

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Despite his close brush with the law , it was decided after a thorough combing of the scene
that his hair was clean. Looking at the pictures there’s real evidence of a very close shave for Phil. If I was him however I’d be more concerned about the homicide trial taking place right in front of him. Still its a good point Fox, you can never underestimate the attraction a 70 year old gent would have to his hair when he still has it. It would be definately up for grabs come a civil action.

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Did anyone see the interview/documentary with him from last year?

Even at 1 hour 40 mins I wanted more. It’s a great watch:

Arena - The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector

In a career stretching 50 years, legendary music producer Phil Spector has avoided doing any substantial interviews - until now that is.

Spector transformed rock and roll, becoming the first music producer to be a star in his own right. He gave the world Be My Baby, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling and John Lennon’s Imagine, and soundtracked a generation. In 2007, he was put on trial after being accused of murdering LA nightclub hostess Lana Clarkson. The trial ended in a hung jury and was reopened in October 2008, once again threatening to eclipse Spector’s musical legacy.

Taken from an exclusive interview filmed in March 2007, the film dissects Spector’s songs from the perspective of his inner world, focusing a spotlight on a unique creative process that is, for the first time, explained by its author. Footage from his first trial provides a dramatic counterpoint to the unprecedented interview.

Available at thebox.bz/details.php?id=56136

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Um, you forgot the Ramones.

HOW COULD YOU FORGET THE RAMONES?

Apart from that, good riddance to the Roulettist.