Playlouder - Music is the Network

After being declared a mistrial in 2007, with the jury gridlocked in a 10-2 guilty verdict. Gun-totin' reclusive production genius Phil Spector walked free from the impending first degree murder charge that loomed over him. A new trial has been set to open on September 29th 2008.

His eccentricity and petulance throughout the court proceedings created both concern and suspicion, and to others, merely confirmed what they had known all along. That the man is a little bit odd. Thereby, a natural target in a situation of an accusatory nature.

Police received a call from Spector's driver after an incident in Feb 2003, in which he stated that his employer had killed someone. The police arrived to find the body of 40 year old B-Movie actress Lana Clarkson, who had been shot in the face (In the mouth if we're being specific).

Spector's defences claim that she shot herself in the face. 

Prosecutors say Spector shot Clarkson while trying to prevent her from leaving. They called a series of witnesses to testify that Spector had a history of brandishing guns at women when he was drunk and said forensic evidence indicated that the Colt Cobra .38 special revolver went off accidentally after he jammed it in Clarkson's face.

The upcoming trial will re-examine evidence and new witnesses will be called. It is a most interesting case in that, Spector will be tried as much for his personality as for the alleged crime. Whatever the papers may say. The fact that he is an eccentric and peculiar individual, the courts will view this in a much harder light than a man who is prepared to stand doe-eyed and profess his innocence, regardless of the truth. If, as he has done sofar, shows no sign of remorse, guilt or much emotion at all, this will act as a damning factor and may become the focus of the trial as opposed to the factual development of it. 

It will be very interesting to see how the news reports cover this story when it reappears to see if the focus lies on the trial, or on Spector's unconventional behaviour.

If this were to be investigated deeper, it could be easily compared with the ideal that man always fears an outsider. That he will, given the opportunity, allow his emotions towards an individual to become clouded. Were he in the same situation with a more familiar or affable character, the same preconceptions would not exist.

Can this, in the case of a man who is clearly a character of his own construction, allow for a fair trial? That's a whole other essay you have right there. Let's see how this all goes........