19 Years to Life for Phil Spector in Murder of Actress Lana Clarkson

May 29, 2009

Music legend Phil Spector was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder conviction of actress Lana Clarkson, who prosecutors alleged that Spector shot through the mouth at his home in 2003.  The 69-year-old Spector sat almost emotionless as Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler meted out a sentence of 15 years to life for the murder, and added four more years for his use of a gun in the slaying.  Fidler also ordered Spector to pay $16,811 in expenses for Clarkson's funeral, and an additional $9,740 to a state restitution fund for victims of crime.  Spector was escorted quickly out of the courtroom after his attorney, Doron Weinberg, requested that he be transferred out of the county jail system and immediately into the state prison system.
 
"He's doing fairly well," Weinberg said.  "He's adjusting to the circumstances and settling down to wait out an appeal with high hopes.  He feels he will win the appeal."

According to Weinberg, much of Spector's appeal will focus on the testimony of five women who claimed that he had threatened them with a gun, and will claim that Fidler was in error by allowing the testimony.  If his appeals fail, the 19-year sentence will likely amount to a life sentence due to the 69-year-old's ill health.

Related Link:
The Continuing Saga of Phil Spector
Phil Spector Convicted of Murder-Finally

Photo Credit: Associated Press

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