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Spector jury cannot reach verdict | Spector jury cannot reach verdict |
(30 minutes later) | |
Jurors in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector have told the court they cannot reach a verdict. | Jurors in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector have told the court they cannot reach a verdict. |
LA Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler said he might instruct the jury to go back and try to reach a verdict on a reduced charge of manslaughter. | |
Mr Spector, 67, famous for his work with the Beatles, Tina Turner and Cher, denies shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his home in February 2003. | |
His lawyers have argued that it was a case of suicide rather than murder. | His lawyers have argued that it was a case of suicide rather than murder. |
"The jurors have informed the court clerk that they are hung," the judge announced on Tuesday afternoon. | |
'Reasonable doubt' | |
The jury of nine men and three women have been deliberating since 10 September after a five-month trial. | The jury of nine men and three women have been deliberating since 10 September after a five-month trial. |
The foreman of the jury told the judge that the panel were split seven to five, without revealing which way they were leaning. | |
"At this time we don't believe that anything else will change the positions of the jurors based on the facts of the case," the foreman told the judge. | |
The defence immediately asked for a mistrial but this was denied by the judge after three jurors asked for further instructions. | |
Lana Clarkson appeared in cult 1980s film Barbarian Queen | Lana Clarkson appeared in cult 1980s film Barbarian Queen |
One wanted to query the difference between "doubt" and "reasonable doubt". | |
The jurors were later dismissed for the day and will return to court on Wednesday morning. | |
Mr Spector, regarded as one of rock music's most influential figures for his pioneering "Wall of Sound" recordings, would face between 15 years and life in prison if found guilty of second-degree murder. | |
Ms Clarkson, 40, had been working as a hostess at the House of Blues venue in Los Angeles, and went to Mr Spector's California home on the night of her death. | |
Her acting career had hit the rocks after appearing in cult 1980s films such as Barbarian Queen and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. | Her acting career had hit the rocks after appearing in cult 1980s films such as Barbarian Queen and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. |
Mr Spector has produced hits including You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by the Righteous Brothers and the Ronettes' Be My Baby. | |
His trial is the most high-profile in the US since former American football player OJ Simpson was accused of murdering his wife and her friend in 1995. | |