One time, he was a hot music producer,once married to a hottie- the former Veronica Yvette Bennett- until he reported used her as a punching bag. And he was credited for creating the "Wall of sound" production technique. He co-wrote the hit "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" for The Righteous Brothers; and produced the soundtrack to the late George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh, and the Beatles' final album as a group, "Let It Be".
But now, Mr. Spector can add one more thing to his resume: murder convict. April 13, in his re- trial on murder, he was found guilty of second degree murder, and using a firearm in the commission of a crime, in the death of actress Lana Clarkson. Clarkson was found dead at Spector's home on February 3, 2003. She was 40. The first trial ended in a mistrial.
Today, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison- 15 years to life for second-degree murder, and four for personal use of a gun. He's also been ordered to pay more than $16,800 in funeral expenses, and more than $9,700 to a state victim's assistance fund. Mr. Spector is 69, and will likely die in prison unless he has his conviction overturned. The family of Lana Clarkson may consider a civil lawsuit against Spector.
This puts a very sad end to what has been a storied- and by many accounts, controversial- career. Spector has been known to be bizarre- which isn't all that unusual when you're dealing with many Hollywood figures. His love of guns often times got him in trouble, but- no pun intended- the fatal bullet of justice had struck him down.
O.J. Simpson. Robert Blake. And now Phil Spector. Well-moneyed figures in the "Hall of Shame". Pretty fucked up, isn't it?
(C) 2009, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
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