Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

June 01, 2009

Record Producer Sentenced to 19 Years to Life in Prison

LOS ANGELES – A Superior Court judge sentenced convicted record producer Phillip Spector today to 19 years to life in prison for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson at the defendant’s Alhambra mansion.

Before sentencing the 69-year-old record producer, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler heard an emotional statement from Clarkson’s mother, Donna, who spoke of what a special person her eldest daughter was.

A jury last month found Spector guilty of second-degree murder and found true the allegation that the record producer used a handgun to fatally shoot Clarkson, whose body was discovered at Spector’s estate on Feb. 3, 2003.

Judge Fidler sentenced Spector to the mandatory 15 years to life in prison for the murder count and added four years for the gun use. He also ordered Spector to pay $16,811 in restitution to the family for funeral expenses and $9740 to the Victim Compensation Board.

“I’m pleased with the sentence,” said District Attorney Steve Cooley at a press conference. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Cooley commended the work of the Sheriff’s Department, the Alhambra Police Department, the D.A.’s Bureau of Investigation and Deputy District Attorneys Alan Jackson and Truc Do, along with Head Deputy Pat Dixon.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.