Spector's Cash His Best Defense

It was money, not celebrity, that aided the producer’s case
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 27, 2007 1:22 PM CDT
Spector's Cash His Best Defense
Music producer Phil Spector sits in his Mercedes-Benz limousine as he leaves the Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. The murder trial of music producer Phil Spector ended in a mistrial Wednesday because of a deadlocked jury. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)   (Associated Press)

Phil Spector’s money mattered more than his celebrity in convincing two jurors of his innocence in this week’s mistrial on second-degree murder charges. Several jurors had never heard of the record producer—so it was his ability to hire a pricey team of lawyers, forensic experts, and private investigators, the LA Times concludes.

One juror said the legal team was able to offer several reasons for acquittal, including a potential suicide and a convincing argument that the chauffeur who allegedly witnessed a confession may have misheard the defendant. Said a jury consultant about the defense squad, “the bigger the budget, the better the ride.” (More Phil Spector stories.)

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