Spector Attorneys Try to Overturn Conviction

Attorneys for music producer Phil Spector have asked a state appellate court to overturn his second-degree murder conviction in the death of actress Lana Clarkson on grounds that a Los Angeles judge made judicial errors.

However, judges on the state's 2nd District Court of Appeal asked pointed questions at Tuesday's hearing and seemed reluctant to accept arguments that the judge acted improperly.

The panel also questioned points made by the state attorney general's office about admissibility of evidence in the case. The judges have 90 days to make a decision.

Spector was convicted two years ago of shooting to death actress Lana Clarkson at his Alhambra mansion in 2003. He's serving 19 years to life and didn't attend the hearing.

If the appellate court grants Spector a new trial, it would be his third. Spector's first jury deadlocked in the case in 2007.

Copyright The Associated Press
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