The idea that Phil Spector will actually stand trial for murder is starting to look less whimsical.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler set Mar. 19 as the day to begin jury selection, saying Tuesday, "We have to get to this trial."
While testimony probably won't start until three or four weeks after a jury is chosen, it's looking promising that Spector's criminal trial is finally going to go forward after a year of delays. The fifth and perhaps final hitch came in October, when the start date was pushed from this month to March after attorneys said that they needed more time to go over scientific and forensic evidence.
Spector, 67, was charged with the February 2003 shooting death of B-movie star Lana Clarkson in November of that year and was indicted in September 2004, whereupon he waived his rights to a speedy trial. The famed music producer, who remains free on $1 million bail, has pleaded innocent to the murder charge, which carries a possible life sentence without possibility of parole.
Since being charged, the accused has claimed that Clarkson, whom he met earlier that night at the House of Blues, where she worked as a hostess, committed suicide in the hallway of his Alhambra mansion by shooting herself through the mouth, telling Esquire in June 2003 that she "kissed the gun." A coroner's report stated Clarkson had gun residue on her hands, but the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide after police reports determined Spector may have handled the murder weapon as well.
According to the police report compiled from the crime scene, however, Spector allegedly told his chauffeur the night of Clarkson's death, "I think I killed somebody." After being taken into custody, Spector then reportedly told police that he was sorry for what happened and that the gun accidentally went off.
One of Spector's attorneys, former O.J. defense team member Robert Blasier, has moved to collect more information from police about that night, including details about the use of a Taser to subdue his client, a move that could have affected Spector's statements, Blasier said.
Blasier also requested access to Clarkson's emails to look for indicators she may have been depressed or suicidal at the time of her death.
Fidler ordered prosecutors to turn over any materials that might be of use to the defense.
Interestingly enough, several weeks before the incident, Spector said in an interview with Britain's Daily Telegraph that he has a bipolar personality and described himself as "probably relatively insane."
As many as 300 jurors are expected to be called during voir dire, although it is doubtful prosecutors are going to waste too much time trying to find people who either haven't heard much about this case or haven't heard at least a sample of Spector's Wall of Sound production, which can be found on classics such as the Beatles' Let It Be and the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody."
Meanwhile, an interim hearing was set for Feb. 7.