Phil Spector Convicted of Second Degree Murder

Music producer Phil Spector was convicted of second degree murder this afternoon. In 2003, actress Lana Clarkson, 40, was found slumped in a chair at Spector's home in 2003, with a gunshot fired in her mouth. At the time of her death, she had worked at the House of Blues' Los Angeles location, as a VIP hostess.

During his first trial in 2007, the jury was deadlocked 10-2, in favor of conviction.

On the night of the killing, Spector- who has a predilection for firearms, and a well-known reputation for threatening women- alegedly shot Clarkson, who starred infilms such as 1985's "Barbarian Queen". Spector himself is credited for creating the legendary "Wall of Sound", a mixture of melody and percussion. This was used in such hits as "Be My Baby", performed by the Ronettes (his ex-wife Ronnie was the lead vocalist); and The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling". He won two Grammy(R) Awards, and in 1989 was induced into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame.

Now the 69-year-old Spector faces 15 years.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.