Closing Arguments Begin in Spector Retrial

Attorneys begin closing arguments today in the second murder trial of music producer Phil Spector—proceedings which drew little attention after a media frenzy surrounding the first, which ended with a hung jury, the AP reports. Spector, 69, faces a second-degree charge in the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson, but Friday, a Los Angeles judge said Spector could also be convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

A manslaughter conviction could mean 2-4 years in prison; a second-degree murder conviction could result in 15 years to life for an act “with gross negligence and consciously taking the risk of killing someone.” The manslaughter option is “a huge benefit for the prosecution,” said a law professor, upping the odds it will “walk away with some kind of a conviction.” (More crime stories.)