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Netflix recently dropped its latest true-crime series, Homicide: Los Angeles, which delves into many high-profile cases, like the one involving Phil Spector in the city of Los Angeles. In its five episodes, it delves into many such cases that are considered "famous." Of course, few names in the docu-series are as big as Phil Spector.
Spector is known to many as a rock 'n' roll legend who saw his career peak in the 1960s and 70s. His wide body of work comprises collaborations with artists like the Beatles, the Ronettes, and Tina Turner. He was also the man behind the legendary Let It Be. In 1989, he even received the honor of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
However, what followed is not how the man would have perhaps wanted people to remember him. In 2003, Spector met Lana Clarkson, a 40-year-old actress, who he later took to his house (a reclusive, eccentric castle) in Alhambra. Hours later, Clarkson was found shot to death in Spector's 10-bedroom home.
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When the investigations began, Phil Spector's celebrity status became the primary rival of the prosecution despite some clear testimonies and evidence. After an initial mistrial, Spector was found guilty of Lana Clarkson's murder in his second trial in 2009. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison, where he passed away in 2021 due to alleged complications from COVID-19.
Who was Phil Spector and what did he do?
Phil Spector was widely regarded as one of the foremost music producers in the history of Rock music. He even pioneered several techniques, including the "Wall of Sound," which has since been used extensively in production.
He started in the music industry as an artist, co-founding the vocal pop group, The Teddy Bears, and even delivering a number-one hit, To Know Him Is to Love Him. By the 1960s, he began to be recognized as a sound auteur, experimenting with various studio techniques and using them in production.
However, at the time of this infamous incident where he met Clarkson, Spector was living the life of a recluse and was often described as eccentric and unpredictable. After meeting Clarkson at the Sunset Strip Club, he took her to his house in Alhambra. He had a chauffeur waiting outside, who heard a gunshot at around 5 AM.
As per the chauffeur, Phil Spector stepped out of his house with a gun in his hand and said, "I think I shot her."
As the police got involved and the investigation proceeded, Spector changed the story and started claiming that Clarkson shot herself. His claims were rejected by the authorities, who took him in for the murder of Lana Clarkson.
However, the primary challenge was convicting a celebrity. In fact, Spector's first trial ended in a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a decision within 15 days. His retrial began in 2008, and this time, he was finally sentenced to 19 years in prison for Second-degree murder.
Where is Phil Spector now?
Spector began serving his sentence in 2009. However, before his prison term would conclude, he allegedly got sick. He was also shifted to a prison hospital, the California Health Care Facility, in 2013, where he spent a significant time of his sentence. In January 2021, Spector died due to complications of COVID-19.
If he were alive, he would have been eligible for parole in 2024.
Netflix's Homicide: Los Angeles covers this case in more detail.
