PHIL SPECTOR: A Wall of Illogic

Innocent until proven Guilty! That is the premise of the U.S. judicial system. However, as we have seen before, justice for the rich is privileged, with a much higher burden of proof. (Not that this is such an astute judgment in & of itself. However…) Had you or I been accused of killing Lana Clarkson, under the same circumstances, our trial would be long over & we'd be in the gray bar hotel. Lana Clarkson died 2/4/2003 while her wealthy ("alleged" for the sake of legal-speak) murderer is still free on bail.

Let's have a quick review of the publicly known facts regarding the case. Phil Spector, once genius recording mogul, is out on the town in his chauffeured Mercedes-Benz sedan. He dined earlier in the evening at Dana Tana's with another woman. The "couple" drank cocktails & shared salads. Phil Spector left a $500 tip on a $70 bill. He then went to the VIP room at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, where Lana Clarkson was hostess. (I've been in the VIP room. Since the club is owned by Dan Aykroyd it attracts a star-studded crowd. It also affords a fabulous view of Los Angeles.) Spector continued drinking (champagne & Jack Daniels according the wait staff) &, at about 2:30 a.m. he left the club in the company of Ms. Clarkson. Supposedly they had champagne together. By 5:00 a.m. she was shot dead in the foyer of Spector's mansion. No one else was in the home at the time of her death. Police have revealed that she had been shot 3 times. The chauffer who was outside in the Benz, made statements to the police that Spector ran out of the house & stated to his driver that, "I think I may have just killed somebody." Later Spector told the police that he accidentally shot Ms. Clarkson.

Now Spector's defense attorney, the colorful Bruce Cutler (known for his assorted mob defenses inclusive of the late Dapper Don, John Gotti) has motioned that Spector's confession be inadmissible because he was suffering withdrawal symptoms from seven prescription drugs when he talked to police.

Spector has a LONG HISTORY of erratic, bizarre behavior. One has to look no further than his ex-wife, Ronnie Spector, who in her autobiography, "Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness," detailed their psychologically abusive marriage. Spector took pains to ensure that Ronnie never left the mansion, without his permission. He allegedly threatened to kill her, monitored her phone calls, and forbade her to read books or see friends. At least 10 women have come forward with accounts of Spector's gun waving stunts. Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler has previously ruled that 4 of these women will be allowed to give their testimony at his murder trial.
There were only two people in the house that night. And I know of NO SUICIDE where the victim has the strength or the skill to shoot oneself 3 times. Additionally, according to friends & neighbors, Ms. Clarkson was thrilled to be working at the House of Blues. She thought that her re-exposure to the Entertainment & Music Industries would be a good step back into the mainstream. In other words, she was optimistic, hopeful that she was getting her life back on track. She apparently thought that she would meet the right person. (The irony is that she met Mr. Wrong.) This hope, fueled by liquor logic, is what caused the 6' Clarkson to leave with the 5', utterly creepy looking Spector. Also Champagne is a happy drink. It's celebratory! It's not a prelude cocktail for suicide.

Spector, a man used to getting his own way, was on 7 prescription medications, including those of a psychotropic nature. If this is the case, shouldn't he have been under some medical supervision? Should he have been out of the house, let alone drinking?!

I plan to follow this trial, which will hopefully begin in January 06 (nearly 3 full years after her death). I hope that Ms. Clarkson's is avenged, for the sake of her family & friends. Again, she is a cautionary tale of a woman (irregardless of age) who made a bad judgment call while inebriated. Spector's time for justice is long overdue.