Phil Spector sentenced to 19 years to life
Famed producer Phil Spector has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, reports The Times' Harriet Ryan on L.A. Now.
Spector was convicted last month of second-degree murder for the death of Clarkson.
Reporting from the courthouse, Ryan writes:
Before the sentencing, the victim’s mother, Donna Clarkson, told the judge she was heartbroken over the death of her daughter.
“All our plans together are destroyed. Now I can only visit her in the cemetery,” she said.
Spector’s attorney said the defense sympathized with the family “with its loss.” But attorney Doron Weinberg maintained that Spector was convicted wrongly.
“The evidence did not establish Mr. Spector’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” the lawyer said.
The 69-year-old music producer, his normally pale face even more wan after a month and a half in jail, stared impassively at the judge as he spoke.
“All our plans together are destroyed. Now I can only visit her in the cemetery,” she said.
Spector’s attorney said the defense sympathized with the family “with its loss.” But attorney Doron Weinberg maintained that Spector was convicted wrongly.
“The evidence did not establish Mr. Spector’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” the lawyer said.
The 69-year-old music producer, his normally pale face even more wan after a month and a half in jail, stared impassively at the judge as he spoke.
Stay tuned to L.A. Now for the latest updates.
-- Todd Martens
Photo: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times
Kudos to Alan Jackson, Truc Do, and special thanks to Judge Fidler for his integrity and appropriate sentence of 19 years for this psychopathic maniac's heinous deed six years ago. Mr. Spector was under the illusion that money and fame could insulate him from the consequences of his murderous rage and misogynistic contempt for all women, but, he will now begin his eternal sentence. 19 years is only the beginning of this punishment, for he will be judged by God unless he repents and seeks forgiveness, instead of blaspheming the dead and denying his guilt.
May Lana finally rest in peace, and may God give grace and some measure of closure to her family, who have endured a nightmare for six long years. May all the other many victims of Phil Spector also feel a sense of closure and a new beginning. He left so many victims, including his own children, and his trusted friends, who he sought to destroy.
Posted by: Lana Angel | May 29, 2009 at 01:04 PM
If you shoot somebody, you will go to jail,
da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron.
Posted by: Ray G | May 29, 2009 at 05:19 PM