opening statement of the music producer's trial in Los Angeles.
that 'murder on their mind' they ignored," lawyer Bruce Cutler said, when describing how authorities acted during the investigation.
Spector, 67, the reclusive musical genius who pioneered the 1960s "Wall of Sound" recording technique, is accused of gunning down 40-year-old Clarkson at his mansion on February 3, 2003.
opening statement on the second day of the trial.
the victim of his own success.
"The evidence will show that back on February 3 of '03, before they even had a cause of death, let alone a manner of death, they had murder on their mind," Cutler said.
"Fame and success come back to haunt you."
Cutler, a New York lawyer best known for his defence of mob boss women.
by Phillip Spector over the years," the prosecutor said.
Jackson described four women he said the jury will hear from, including a personal manager for Joan Rivers, a professional photographer of rock stars, a personal assistant who worked for Spector and a woman Spector dated.
today.
Spector, 67, lives in a castle-like mansion in suburban Alhambra.
It was there that he took Clarkson, who wound up dead in the foyer with a gunshot through her mouth.
chair, her hand on her shoulder and blood smeared on her face.
Cutler said Clarkson killed herself.
"A self-inflicted gunshot wound can be accidental suicide, and that's what it was," he told jurors.
after the incidents," he said.
his money.
"
was told by the judge to stick to the facts. He mentioned Spector's association with John Lennon and George Harrison and said, "This is Prosecutors are proceeding on a theory of "implied malice," death by reckless behaviour and taking an extreme risk.
If convicted of second-degree murder, he could face 15 years to life in prison.
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