Phil Spector released from prison for Toluca Lake dental appointment

You could not stop people in Toluca Lake from doing a double-take today.

Convicted murderer Phil Spector had an appointment this afternoon at a Toluca Lake dentist's office. Spector was allowed to see the dentist under a state rule that permits qualifying inmates with the financial means to seek private medical treatment as long as they pick up the bill for the transportation and security.

The legendary music producer, who is serving 19 years to life for the killing of actress Lana Clarkson, was allowed to get dental treatment by his dentist because he is an eligible inmate.

Terry Thornton, a state Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said inmates can seeking to visit private physicians or dentists if they can afford to not only pay for treatment but cover the state's transportation and security costs.

"It is allowable, and taxpayers don't pay a penny," Thornton said. Spector, 69, is serving his sentence at a treatment facility on the grounds of the state prison at Corcoran.

Spector's dental appointment was first reported by radio station KFI-AM (640).

-- Richard Winton

Comments

[claudia Lapin]

Can this writer proofread?

[Arlo]

Phil Spector still has teeth?

[JusticeWONK]

The dentist ought to use a 9 mm Glock to extract Spector's teeth just like Spector did to Lana Clarkson.

[davidozone]

Sounds like a law made by Jews and we all know they are the law.

[Chuck Carr]

Once again, the state makes special rules for the rich and famous. Letting convicted murders out for dental appointments. Just because they can pay for it. That's absurd. Incarceration is about giving up their personal freedoms as punishment for taking away the life or rights of others.

[Ridiculous]

So he murders someone and still gets field trips? Nice to see what money will afford you! I wonder if he'll visit the hair club for men? Next will see OJ shopping for a Ginsu at Bed Bath and Beyond. The American justice system is broken.

[Dan Koehler]

Another example of the absurdity in our criminal justice system. The fact that it doesn't cost taxpayers is irrelevant. He's a criminal! He lost his rights when he committed murder...let him and his teeth rot in his cell.

[Simone]

This was very repetitive

[Grandma]

It's too bad Lana Clarkson can't go to her dentist to get her shattered teeth fixed. This egomaniacal terrorist should have been sentanced to death. Maybe the dentist will overdose him on novacaine.

[pasadena jag]

Four hours of freedom spent in a Dentist's chair. This has to be a joke. It would have been more amusing if he had to see a proctologist.

[stewart]

ah yes all the justice money can buy....

[Fabricio]

This is the United States Of America. I believe it.

[Melissa]

I cannot believe this! Only in California, would there be a state rule, that allows rich criminals, to seek private medical treatment. Are you kidding me? This is one of the many reasons that CA is in such disarray. We cow-tow to the rich and powerful. That murderer should see a prison dentist like the rest of the inmates. He shouldn't receive special treatment because he has the means. His money should go to charities, and to the family of the poor woman that was killed. What is the matter with our justice system?? Absolutely ridiculous!!

[a horton]

with an over bite like that he need more help
than that this just another way to get public attention

[Scott]

He should have seen his hair stylist too!

[happy ziggy]

This guy blew a woman's teeth out of her face, and he is granted a trip to the dentist? You have got to be putting me on. Every penny from his estate should go to victim's assistance funds.

[David Seagrave]

Only in America............

[Lyov]

How about inmates with the financial means pay for their incarceration before they pay for private medical care?

[LV]

So Spector gets his teeth fixed after blowing the teeth off of Lana Clarkson? Where's the justice of that?

[GP Spector]

It's amazing, my father goes to the Dentist and it makes the news. I get arrest and thrown in jail for not showing up in Court on a date I did not have to be in Court and find out that my records were lost, then find out it may have just been an oversight on someone else's part and nothing is reported.

The media really amazes me sometimes.

[jo]

He would have received dental care anyways...inmates have better medical/dental than we do. I'm glad that it came out of his pocket rather then ours. We should make ALL inmates pay for their own heathcare!

[Scott]

davidozone: Once again, a remarkable display of ignorance and racisim!

[True Fan]

What about his "wife" trying to pass off a bunch of 80s dance tunes under HIS name while he's sitting in prison or selling off his antique furniture or discouraging him from writing his biggest fans who have stood by him more than she has?

[Viva Team Spector!]

I hope Phil's good buddy Steve E. reads this-way to expose Chelle for who and what she is, Steve and keep telling the truth! Hopefully the media will eventually catch on :)

And Spector-fan #8: thanks so much for all your help in giving us fans a little dose of reality as to what Chelle is really about!!! I read your blog a couple of months back and it was a real education. You've encouraged us all to write Phil and tell him the truth about his wife. I'll continue to do so until it makes a dent! :) Glad Phil got to see a dentist!! :)

[Kai]

Phil's closest friend and one of Phil's biggest fans, "Spectorfan 8" have gotten us to start writing Phil about his wife. ITA, that's where the real story is! As for Phil getting to see a dentist, hooray Phil!