Producer Phil Spector guilty of murder

Agence France-Presse

Spector, 69, who created the famed "Wall of Sound" recording technique during the 1960s when he worked with some of the biggest names in music, stared glumly as the verdict was read out.

The diminutive producer, who had arrived at court to hear the verdict in a trademark long jacket bearing a lapel badge reading "Barack Obama Rocks!", could face up to 18 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 29.

The six-man, six-woman jury had begun deliberating on March 26 after a five-month court case which followed his first trial in 2007 that ended deadlocked with jurors unable to agree a unanimous verdict.

Prosecutors said Spector had shot dead former B-movie actress Lana Clarkson at his home in the early hours of February 3, 2003 after meeting her only a few hours before at the Hollywood nightclub where she worked.

Defense lawyers said 40-year-old Clarkson killed herself.

Spector is regarded as one of the most influential figures in pop music history. In the early 1960s he was responsible for hits including "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Be My Baby, Baby" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.'"

But during his trials prosecutors said Spector, who was famed for his work with The Beatles, Tina Turner, The Righteous Brothers, The Ronettes and The Ramones, had a sinister side.