Phil Spector...guilty of 2nd degree murder! Wall of sound crumbles...

From the sidelines, everyone held their collective breath on Friday afternoon, when the jury for the Phil Spector trial (No. 2) took a break for the weekend deadlocked over issues that cried out for a just verdict.

Last year, I followed the trial intensely, and penned a post on some of the more curious aspects of the proceedings (and evidence) which raised a spectre of doubt in the courtroom.

Post: 08/29/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/08/phil-spectorwhodunit.html

Mr. Spector is known for creating the infamous "Wall of Sound" that was (in part, anyway) responsible for the phenomenal success of a handful of megastar pop singers over the past few decades (the Beatles among them).

Because of Spector's known bizarre social behavior - and a penchant for mixing alcohol and gun play - all accusing fingers were inclined to point to the legendary music producer as the potential murderer at the trial.

But, the slippery devil - not unlike the teflon Don - managed to escape the wrath of the victim's friends and business associates - who adamantly cried foul - when the eccentric multi-millionaire was acquitted first-time around the legal circuit.

And so, a second trial commenced, forthwith.

In a standing-room only courtroom yesterday, the jurors found Spector guilty of 2nd degree murder, six years after police first stumbled upon the bloody body of a statuesque blond actress by the name of Lana Clarkson.

At a news conference, the Jury forewoman asserted that it was the "totality" of the evidence that prosecutors presented over the past five months in the courtroom that cinched it for the panel of dedicated Jurors.

No one piece of evidence singled out any smoking gun theory apparently.

On the heels of the verdict, legal eagles speculated that Phil Spector faces a mandatory life prison term when he appears for sentencing on May 29th, 2009.

The defendant won't be eligible for parole until he has served at least 18 years of the term, provided he has maintained a low profile in jail (i.e., there are no altercations with fellow inmates or trips to the infamous "hole" for misconduct) and remained on good behaviour during the duration of his stint in the pokey.

On the radio airwaves this morning, a handful of disc jockeys speculated that Spector would not make it out alive if he's tossed into the penal system with the general population.

According to one radio personality, an author who wrote a bio on the defendant, was inclined to take the position that without the trappings of his wealth - a mansion outfitted with high security, wine and song at his beck 'n call, friends and confidants to protect him from the indignities that common folk experience on a day-to-day basis - Spector won't survive in close quarters with hardened felons.

The District Attorney's office is apparently celebrating the outcome of the long egregious trial.

According to sources, Spector is the first high-profile celebrity to be convicted in over forty years in the Los Angeles courts.

Attorneys in the DA's office (who prefer to remain nameless) grudgingly confessed that spotlighted defeats in the murder trials of O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake still stung.

"Celebrity cases are always a little different," grimaced District Attorney Steve Cooly.

In the past, Cooly has blatantly insulted jurors, who appeared to have been too starry-eyed to see the forest for the trees.

After Jurors acquitted Robert Blake in 2005, for instance, he demeaned them by alleging they were incredibly stupid.

In the final analysis, he summed it all up this way.

"Sometimes the laws of gravity as we know them don't work in celebrity cases."

Shortly after the verdict was read, and the hub-bub died down a bit, Spector's attorney noted that he would lodge an appeal.

The Judge's decision to allow women to testify about events over a three decade period was ripe for an Appellate court review, asserted lawyer Doron Weinberg.

"We believe that analytically there is absolutely no legal basis for the admissibility of that evidence."

Spector's attorneys asked that the defendant be permitted to remain free on $1 million dollar bail pending the imposition of his sentence in May.

However, prosecutors objected on the grounds that the Alhambra resident had a history of threatening people with guns and that there may be an incentive to flee the jurisdiction to avoid incarceration.

In response, Judge Larry Paul Fidler issued a note for the record.

"Public safety and public protection are paramount."

The victim's mother and sister declined comment when reporters clamoured for a quote.

What else was there to say?

Justice was served in my estimation.

Spector the musical wall-of-sound whiz kid

http://www.julianayrs.com

Julian Ayrs 1st Annual 10 Worst-Dressed Men's List...previews Feb 1st!

Manilow, the Joker or Ellen Degeneres on prozac?

Well, I expect some peacock feathers will fly on Sunday (Feb. 1st) when my scintillating list of the 10 Worst-Dressed Men is posted!

Actually, it wasn't difficult to rustle up a list of the 10 Best, which will be unveiled in tandem with the fashion disasters.

In fact - so many dudes I had my designs (um) eyes on - tended to be pretty fashion savvy from the get-go!

The celebrated ten best are quite the sartorial lot, in fact.

So, I guess you'd like a teaser or two to get 'ya through the weekend, eh?

In addition to a song or two that impish Barrie Manilow has mangled in recent days (Unchained Melody, for starters) I expect that there is a stylist or two that would like to wave a fashion wand his way.

And, though I am inclined to toss Phil Spector (known for his wall of hair) smack dab on top of the fashion-victim pile, I worry the swirling dervish might chase me down cobbled streets under picturesque storied-night-skies with a fully-loaded pistol and diaper in hand.



But, in the final analysis, I'm a ball*y kind-of-dude who likes to tempt the fickle finger of fate!



Kid Rock?

The "Donald"?

A weight-watcher's answer to the good fairy?




Well now, I'll have to depart, and leave you with bated breath.

See 'ya at "high noon" on February 1st!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Phil Spector...whodunit? 2nd trial underway...

Every amateur detective into murder mysteries will be paying keen attention to the Phil Spector case underway in Los Angeles - again!

The first effort to establish guilt failed miserably.

Not to be undaunted, the City Attorney has chosen to forge ahead fresh with a new trial.

There are enough twists and turns to pique the curiosity of any sleuth.

As the story goes...

One dark night Lana Clarkson, an aspiring actress (with some legitimate film credits) accompanied the famed music producer, Phil Spector - who created the "Wall of Sound" - to his palatial Alhambra manse - and summarily - ended up dead.

The issues swirled around Ms. Clarkson's frame of mind, altered evidence, and the questionable conduct of a criminologist.

Mr. Spector alleged that the statuesque blond nabbed one of his pistols - for some inexplicable reason - then turned it on herself.

"It was a suicide."

End of story.

However, witnesses for the prosecution appeared in court to vigorously dispute the claims.

One expert argued that a woman would never commit suicide by shooting herself in the face.

A man may point a gun point blank at his head and pull the trigger, but - a female would not disfigure herself in this way - they asserted.

A woman would be more inclined to put on her best dress, brush her hair, and lay down on the sofa or bed until drugs and alcohol kicked in.

Then, there was the issue of her state-of-mind.

Friends insisted that she was in a positive upbeat mood, excited about new prospects in her life, and not a likely candidate for suicide.

Of course, that purse was pretty incriminating, too.

A criminologist - Dr. Lynne Herold - noted that it was sitting on her shoulder positioned backward.

For sure, an awkward way for a woman to carry her bag.

Had it been adjusted by someone?

Blood tests established there were mystifying smears of blood here and there, too.

One stain on the foyer chair where Clarkson's body was found slumped suggested her head had been turned around.

By who? Why?

One piece of evidence - or lack thereof - caused quite an uproar.

One witness claimed to have spied Dr. Lee - famed evidence expert (who presided over the O.J. Simpson trial) - pick up and pocket a small scrap some believed to be a part of a fingernail.

But, the evidence did not end up in the evidence packet submitted to the court.

The attorney who eye-balled the event - refused to testify on the grounds of attorney-client privilege - and came close to jail time for contempt of court.

Prosecutors surmised that the nail was blown off her finger when she put her hands to her face to defend against an attacker.

Mr. Spector's previous defense team was headed up by attorney Bruce Cutler; the high-profile lawyer from New York who represented John Gotti in three cases in which the alleged mob figure "got off".

The new trial is now underway in Los Angeles.

In fact, testimony given by one witness on the stand yesterday, did not disappoint aggressive prosecutors out to get their "man".

Dorothy Melvin recalled that one evening in the 90's she was in the presence of Mr. Spector when he was approached by some men who excitedly shook his hand - and likewise - gushed that they were excited to meet him.

When the gents strolled away, Spector became furious when he learned they had mistaken him for actor Dudley Moore.

Allegedly, he grabbed a gun, and chased the offending individuals down the street.

Undoubtedly, there will be a number of red herrings tossed in for good measure, over the next few days.

Gee, where's Hercule Poirot when you need him?

Phil Spector...whodunit

Every amateur detective into murder mysteries has been paying attention to the Phil Spector case ongoing in Los Angeles...especially, now that the trial is winding down.

There are enough twists and turns to pique the curiosity of any sleuth.

As the story goes...one dark night Lana Clarkson, an aspiring actress (with some legitimate film credits) accompanied famed music producer, Phil Spector - who created the "Wall of Sound" - to his palatial Alhambra manse - and ended up dead.

The issues swirl around Ms. Clarkson's frame of mind, altered evidence, and the questionable conduct of a criminologist.

Mr. Spector alleges that the statuesque blond nabbed one of his pistols - for some inexplicable reason - and turned it on herself, committing suicide. End of story.

However, over the past few weeks, witnesses for the prosecution have sought to dispute these claims.

One expert argued that a woman would never commit suicide by shooting herself in the face.

A man may point a gun point blank at his head and pull the trigger, but they assert that a female would not disfigure herself in this way. A woman would be more inclined to put on her best dress, brush her hair, and lay down on the sofa or bed until the drugs and alcohol kicked in.

Then, there's the issue of her state-of-mind. Friends insist that she was in a positive upbeat mood, excited about new prospects - not a likely candidate for suicide.

Of course, that purse is pretty incriminating, too.

A criminologist, Dr. Lynne Herold, noted that it was sitting on her shoulder positioned backward - an awkward way for a woman to carry her bag. Had it been adjusted by someone?

Blood tests established there were mystifying smears of blood, too.

One stain on the foyer chair where Clarkson's body was found slumped suggested her head had been turned around. By who? Why?

One piece of evidence - or lack thereof - has caused quite an uproar.

One witness claimed to have witnessed Dr. Lee - famed evidence expert (who presided over the O.J. Simpson trial) - pick up and pocket a small scrap some believed was a part of a fingernail.

But, the evidence did not end up in the evidence packet submitted to the court.

The attorney who eye-balled the event, now refused to testify (on the grounds of attorney-client privilege) and came close to jail time for contempt of court.

Prosecutors surmise that the nail was blown off her finger when she put her hands to her face to defend against an attacker.

Mr. Spector's defense team has been headed up by attorney Bruce Cutler; the high-profile lawyer from New York who represented John Gotti in three cases in which the alleged mob figure "got off".

Gee, where's Hercule Poirot when you need him?