Jurors in Phil Spector’s murder trial have indicated they believe they are at an impasse, the judge said today (Sept. 18) after the panel sent a note in its seventh day of deliberations.
The record producer is charged with second-degree murder, and the judge previously ruled that the panel would only decide that charge and not consider lesser charges such as manslaughter.
However, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler told the attorneys he was reconsidering and might instruct the jury to consider a lesser charge.
Spector, 67, is charged in the Feb. 3, 2003, shooting of actress Lana Clarkson, 40. The case went to the jury Sept. 10.
Clarkson was killed by a bullet fired from a gun inside her mouth. The defense contended in the lengthy trial that she had many personal problems and killed herself either by accident or suicide.
