SECTION THREE

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COLUMN EIGHTY-EIGHT, APRIL 1, 2003
(Copyright © 2003 The Blacklisted Journalist)

IS PHIL SPECTOR OFF THE HOOK? COPS SAY HE ISN'T

PHIL SPECTOR

"Mad Genius" music producer Phil Spector reportedly sent emails to friends saying he was off the hook.  But he aint, say the cops.

The Associated press quotes the L. A. sheriff’s office as insisting a crime was committed in the death of actress Anna Clarkson, who was shot to death in the foyer of legendary music producer Phil Spector’s hilltop mansion and no matter what Spector’s lawyer friend claims, sheriff's Captain Frank Merriman said:

"If we had come to a conclusion as monumental as suicide, we would have a duty to say so publicly. We believe a crime occurred."

According to the Associated Press, palimony lawyer Marvin Mitchelson, a longtime friend of Phil,  said the producer sent out an email suggesting that Lana Clarkson's death was "an accidental suicide." The actress was found to have been shot in the face.

According to the AP, phone calls to Spector's attorney, Robert Shapiro, were not immediately returned.

Spector, 62, who produced records for the Beatles and other top groups, was arrested Feb. 3 after the body of the 40-year-old actress was found in Spector’s hilltop home in suburban Alhambra.

Spector was taken into custody at the scene but has not been charged. He was released on $1 million bail.

Marvin Mitchelson, a longtime friend of Spector, said the producer sent an email to him and

What's
the
story?

others Monday suggesting investigators would soon clear him and that Clarkson's death was "an accidental suicide."

"'We hate to use the words, 'I told you so,' but I did tell you so,'" Mitchelson said, quoting the email. "After seven weeks of silence, we can say with certainty, this will speak for itself, and boy does it speak volumes."

Mitchelson said he has not talked with Spector about the email.

"No one involved in this investigation said that," Merriman said. "My opinion is that somebody is orchestrating this to plant seeds of doubt with potential jurors."

It may be summer before investigators present their case to the district attorney's office, Merriman said. The investigation is taking time because the evidence is complex and forensic tests involved take months to complete, he said.

Merriman declined to discuss specifics of the investigation.

Spector has not only helped bring out Beatles recordings, but he also produced such pop music classics as Da Doo Ron Ron and To Know Him is to Love Him and worked with such musicians as the Ramones and Elvis Presley.  ##  

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