(CBS/AP) Rock music producer Phil Spector was convicted Monday of second-degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson at his mansion six years ago.
A Superior Court jury returned the verdict after an estimated 29 to 30 hours of deliberations. The jury had the option of choosing involuntary manslaughter, but did not do so.
Spector had no obvious reaction. His attorney argued that he should remain free on bail pending the May 29 sentencing but Judge Larry Paul Fidler accepted the prosecution’s argument that he be remanded to jail immediately.
Spector was led out of the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies. Second-degree murder carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison.
Spector’s young wife, Rachelle, sobbed as the decision was announced.
CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen reports he’s not terribly surprised by the verdict. Spector was at the scene of the crime, has a reputation for gun play and essentially incriminated himself moments after the shooting. That’s a trifecta that usually results in a conviction no matter who the defendant is.
The 40-year-old Clarkson, star of the 1985 cult film “Barbarian Queen,” died of a gunshot fired in her mouth as she sat in the foyer of Spector’s mansion in 2003. She met Spector only hours earlier at her job as a nightclub hostess.
Prosecutors argued Spector had a history of threatening women with guns when they tried to leave his presence.
Tonight Jay Leno will hand over the reigns of the late night staple Tonight Show to Mr. O’Brien. As a measure of good faith, Leno is even bringing his successor on for a ‘passing of the torch’ couch-session.
“That’s what’s great about these American democracy things. We can peacefully hand over talk shows without looting and rioting,” Leno joked. CBSNews
We for one are glad to see the Tonight Show turning over a new leaf with Conan. His hair is so big – we’re for that.
This cat in China is no ordinary cat, it has wings! Well, just wing like appendages:
Though born looking completely normal, once the cat hit the age of 1, he began growing wing-shaped appendages on either side of his spine, the U.K.’s Daily Mail reports.
While some think the bony limbs may be a mutation of some kind — or even a Siamese twin growing inside the cat — others speculate it’s a genetic change perhaps caused by chemicals ingested by the kitty’s mother while she was pregnant. Source
Remember the anti-corporate Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt) from the movie Fight Club? It appears some bored designer used his name for the Avery packaging. Gotta love it! Source
I’m sorry but the powerloo is probably one of the worst inventions ever and costs $1000- plumbing not included. As if taking those extra steps to your own toilet is too much so you have to make a special doggie toilet in your yard.
Gus is a 2 year old Brussels Griffon, a less common breed of DOG…not to be confused with an Ewok or monkey.
He is very leggy and has human-like expressions. We think he’s pretty special!
