Yup. It began today. One of the jurors is a producer from NBC Dateline. Many of the hundreds of potential jurors were summarily dismissed for expressing the belief that Spector was guilty.

It's a downtown jury. This trial is being held in the same courthouse as the OJ criminal trial.  Traditionally a downtown jury is good news for a high profile defendant.

A cover story in last month's LA magazine asked the question: Will Phil Spector Be the First Hollywood Celebrity to Be Found Guilty of Murder?

I say 'yes.'  He will.  But I'm often wrong on these matters.

First day of trial, the defendant is wearing a natty white suit with a violet shirt. His hair (wig?) is straightened, and cut in a blond early Beatles cut. Flangie, he has no arm bands!  Yet.  It's live on Court TV.

Today, being the opening day, the courthouse is packed. Worldwide press outside, some suggesting both Yoko Ono and Keith Richards will be called as defense character witnesses! I dout it.  Hopefully as the trial moves on, I'll be able to attend. Usually the afternoon sessions are easier to get into. The press often leaves early to get their stories to press in the late afternoon. That opens up a number of seats. Will let you know when I have some accounts as I did from the trial of that last acquited celebrity murderer, Robert Blake.

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Now, folks, how do we KNOW that Lana did not, in a fit of despondence (maybe from realizing that she actually went HOME with Phil Spector from the House of Blues!) did not actually ask to borrow a gun from Phil to shoot herself for her great lapse of reason? I mean, if you sobered up and you were home with Phil Spector at 3am, wouldn't YOU want to kill yourself? (Excuse me Phil, where's the restroom in this absurd castle, and by the way... got any guns?)

I think he's totally INNOCENT! Except that he probably killed her when she wouldn't sleep with him. (Eeewww!!!) Well, actually, maybe she did kill herself when she realized what she went HOME WITH!!!!

Da do ron ron ron, Da do ron ron, after all.

Oh, I have some video of her chained to a stone wall nude while being whipped. Will this be shown to the jury!?

My sister will be interviewed by Nancy Grace tomorrow on CourtTV about Lana Clarkson.  I'm not sure of the time but I'll be watching throughout the day. 

Both of us would still want a guilty celebrity male to be found guilty as charged if the evidence so indicated whether we knew the victim or not. This could be the celebrity defendant that an LA jury finally finds guilty.  Hope springs eternal.

It must also be told that my husband knew Phil Spector back in high school.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Even I have heard for decades about this guy and pulling guns on people. Here is a piece where he slams the women and offers a check and a lie detector test......for them.

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash2.htm

hey, was phil with a different hair style, blonde color, trembling hands?

Spector defense witness ( Dr. Lee, defense witness for OJ by the way ) withheld evidence - Lana Woods fingernail--from prosecutors. Busted by the judge. From the Los Angeles Times :

Defense hid evidence

After a masterful closing argument by Alan Jackson, the prosecutor, and a lackluster summation about "science, science, science!" by the lawyer-wife of lead defense forensic witness, Dr. Baden, it is almost judgment day for Phil Spector.  I know, it's never really happened in LA but I believe this will be a first -- a celebrity found guilty of murder, albeit 2nd degree.

Deliberations expected soon.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Verdict coming soon, or so "they" say.  Maybe today?  I doubt it.  In fact, I think a weekend may go by first.

Voting "guilty" myself.  Oh please, oh please, let there be a first time where an LA celebrity is found guilty of their crime!

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Hung jury - 7-5.

Next time I am called for jury duty, I'll still go to the courthouse as I have done since 1975.  Never ON a jury.  But for 32 years I've answered the summons and showed up for jury duty. 

Next time when being questioned I am going to say I going to suggest I should be permanently removed from the jury pool as I am totally inadequate to serve alongside my Los Angeleno peers.  If there are 5 (or 7!!!) nudnicks who can come to the opposite conclusion about Phil Spector!!! -- then clearly, I should be permanently excused.  I'm not worthy.

Before this trial began, LA Magazine had a cover story asking the question:  Will Phil Spector be the First LA Celebrity to Be Found Guilty of Murder?  I guess that question has been answered for the time being.  A resounding NOPE.  Innocent by means of celebrity.  Criminal!

Susan 

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Better luck next time, Susan!

If O.J. gets done for this latest fracas and Britney gets her children taken away, will it ease the sting a little? 

It's about murder, Andrew.  Armed robbery of sports memorabilia or drunken floozy moms are another subject.  So, no.  It won't alleviate anything.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Mistrial. New hearings begin next month for the second trial. That should be the icing on the cake if it goes as most retrials do. With a conviction. In the meantime, Phil is free (as he has been throughout this trial) to hold loaded guns to heads whenever he feels the urge.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Susan

An article if you can stand it.  This verdict is only further confirmation of my email signature...

It just doesn't seem to me that Los Angeles is the place to lead the life of mind.

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Slightly off topic, but it didn't really make the news over here as much, and so I just got round to going to look at the Wikipedia link for 'If I Did It'.

 O

MY

GOD

!!!

Andrew if you want another

OH

MY

GOD

!!!

check out this.   You probably aren't a "friend" though.  So check out this too from before it went "Private."

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin