Phil Spector gets 19 years in jail for the murder of actress Lana

MUSIC producer Phil Spector has been sentenced to at least 19 years in prison for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, who was shot dead in the music producer's home six years ago.

Judge Larry Paul Fidler, ordered a term of 15 years to life for second-degree murder, plus four years for personal use of a gun.

Spector, 69, showed no emotion as Clarkson's mother, Donna, made a brief statement before sentencing, speaking of her daughter's fine qualities, sense of humour, intelligence and dedication to acting.

"I'm very proud of Lana, proud to be her mother," Ms Clarkson said. "No-one should suffer the loss of a child."

The judge also ordered Spector to pay $16,811 (£10,386) in funeral expenses, $9,740 (£6,018) to a state victims' restitution fund, and other fees.

The music producer, dressed in his customary dark pinstripe suit with a red silk tie, was led away immediately. His lawyer asked that he be transferred immediately from county jail to a state prison. It was not known to which prison he would be sent.

Spector gained fame decades ago for what became known as the "Wall of Sound" recording technique with its dense, layered effect that changed rock music. He worked with such performers as the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers, Ike and Tina Turner and John Lennon.

Lana Clarkson was most famous as the star of Roger Corman's 1985 cult film classic Barbarian Queen. She was 40 when she died. She died of a gunshot fired into her mouth while seated in the foyer of Spector's hilltop mansion in 2003.

Spector was convicted of murder in April after a five-month retrial and nearly 30 hours of jury deliberations.

He was also found guilty of the lesser charge of using a firearm in committing a crime. The producer had denied the charge. His lawyers maintained Clarkson took her own life.

The first trial was ended in 2007 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Spector's young wife, who is in her late 20s, attended the sentencing.

"This is a sad day for everybody involved," Rachelle Spector said. "The Clarkson family has lost a daughter and a sister. I've lost my husband, my best friend. I feel that a grave injustice has been done and from this day forward I'm going to dedicate myself to proving my husband's innocence."

Spector's son Louis, accompanied by his wife, also attended the sentencing. He had attended much of the trial.

"I'm torn about this," he said. "I'm losing my father who is going to spend his life in jail. At the same time, justice is served."

Alan Jackson, the deputy district attorney, said afterwards that the outcome sent a message: "If you commit crimes against our citizens we will follow you and prosecute you. And no matter whether you are famous or wealthy, you will stand trial."

However, Doron Weinberg, Spector's defence attorney, said that the appeal would be extremely strong.

Spector had two trials with essentially the same evidence. His first, in 2007, was televised and spectators flocked to the courtroom. But when the jury were unable to reach a verdict after a five-month trial, his legal "dream team," which at times numbered half a dozen lawyers, bailed out.

By the time the second trial began in 2008, public interest in the case had waned. The judge ordered cameras turned off and only a handful of spectators and reporters stopped in sporadically to watch testimony.

During jury selection, only a few panelists remembered Spector's heyday as producer of teen anthems including To Know Him is to Love Him by The Teddy Bears, The Ronette's Be My Baby The Crystals' Da Doo Ron Ron and The Righteous Brothers' classic, You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'. Spector also worked on the Beatles album Let It Be.