Spector Writes About Prison Life

(AP)  Music legend Phil Spector, in prison for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, has been writing letters about his life behind bars _ saying in a letter released Wednesday that he fears for his safety and would like to be moved to "a better prison."

Spector wrote to his friend Steve Escobar, a musician and music journalist, of his chagrin at being in the same prison as notorious murderers including Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan.

He said he is working with his attorneys "to get a better prison with people more like myself in it during the appeal process instead of all these lowlife scumbags, gangsters and Manson types....They'd kill you here for a 39-cent bag of soup!"

Spector, 69, said his spirits were up because his wife, Rachelle, has begun visiting him two days a week at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran. The prison is 400 miles from their Alhambra home, he said, and his wife has been driving back and forth each weekend.

"She's a real trouper," he said of his 29-year-old wife. "...All in all, it's like a dream come true having her by my side again."

Spector said his wife brings him packaged food so that he doesn't have to go the dining hall with other inmates.

"I know it is a chance to get out of my cell going to the dining room but the less I see of the inmates, the better and safer I feel," he said. "Even though 24/7 lockdown in a 3' by 7' cell is very tough."

Spector, the difficult genius whose "Wall of Sound" production technique turned pop songs into mini-symphonies in the 1960s, was sentenced to a term of 19 years to life.

Clarkson, 40, was found shot through the mouth at Spector's Alhambra mansion in February, 2003.

Spector's lawyers spent two trials arguing that Clarkson killed herself while battling depression. Prosecutors called witnesses to show that Clarkson was the last in a long line of women whom Spector threatened with guns.

In his heyday in the early and mid-1960s, Spector produced dozens of hits, including 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" and John Lennon's album, "Imagine."

Spector's letters were released by Hal Lifson, a publicist working for Spector and his wife. Escobar, who lives in Northern California, said he has also received several phone calls from Spector since he went to prison.

[GPSpector]

To all those that have read the Trials and Tribulations posted by Rachelle, both hear and on other sites, I do not know what her plan or SCAM is but I for one am getting very tired of it.

So tired of it that I actually called the Prison to confirm the garbage that she has been posting because I personally do not care for 1 single person that she has tried to bring into this SCAM, be it her Publicist or Steve Escobar, or any other person she wants to drag into this that will just be used as a Scapegoat if she's questioned. Any one still remember the excuses she gave when asked about the Death Threat she posted on HER site?

What did I learn from calling the Prison:
My father is no where near Charles Manson. In fact so far away that he's not even in the same facility. He's 2 miles away in the Drug Dependency Facility.

I also found out that the Prison or at least the Public Relations Officer) is aware of what Rachelle is doing but have decided to do nothing about it.

So, to all those that insist on making comments to my father, please consider the source. I have yet to find any proof that 1 single comment that she claims comes from my father, actually has. So, if you have any negative comments or you want proof, please direct those comments to Rachelle since I do believe that it is her that is responsible for the lies that you are reading, not my father. He, as well as Corcoran are just victims of her lies.

Now I see why she has made no attempt to contact me. She knows I would never support what ever it is that she thinks she's doing.

[LouiseFletcher]

Rachelle Spector has had a couple of uncredited roles in movies, and one very brief and forgettable credited appearance. So what, just like a million other Hollywood hopefuls. The only reason she's married to Phil is because she feels--rather delusionally that this will aid her "status" and "career" in Hollywood. What Short fails to face is the fact that her husband is a CONVICTED murderer. Whether some people view he's innocent, the majority of people out here do not. She is going to bear the brunt of that weight on her shoulders as long as she stays "with" him. Most people hate the guy and they in turn hate her. She will be blacklisted by anyone in Hollywood who has any clout. She has nothing going for her. She's plain looking at best, and ageing badly by the second. She also has exhibited no signs of true intellect or class. That 20/20 interview, for one.

If Spector really feels that it's a "dream come true" to be at her side again, he's deluding himself and attempting to delude us. WE all know it's not a "real" marriage, Phil. Don't YOU? If you look in the mirror and repeat to yourself over and over that you're innocent, maybe you can delude yourself. If you wear enough wigs maybe you can lie to yourself and tell yourself you've got hair. If you tell yourself over and over that you're in a real marriage maybe you'll believe that too.

Asking US to believe any of it is simply too much to ask. We didn't believe it was your real hair. We don't believe you are 100% innocent. And we don't believe that little miss gold digger is really in love with you, no matter how many stupid interviews she does proclaiming her alleged "love" or how many roses she sends herself, supposedly from YOU! Give it up already!

[anitaymoore]

I just realized too that he said he's working to get into a "better prison with people more like himself" in it. Phil, you ARE in a prison with people like yourself in it...YOU ARE A MURDERER, look around you...there are other murderers in there with you. Just because you have money does NOT entitle you to a "country club" prison. You are NOT a white collar criminal, a "non-violent" criminal. You need to take a REALLY good look at yourself and see what everyone else sees, you ARE among other people like yourself, in fact I'd be willing to bet that there are others in that very same prison....who are better than you too.

[anitaymoore]

He "fears" for his safety in prison...awe what a shame. I'm sure that woman he murdered "feared" for hear safety as well right before he shot and killed her. I have NO sympathy for him, he's getting what he deserves and a good dose of fear...possible bodily injury, or death...is part of the consequences for what he did to another. He should just be glad he's not in a woman's prison...HE WOULD BE DEAD IN ONE OF THOSE.

[userofair]

Gee, the 29 year old wife (do the math folks) He is "70", she is "30". Here is a child of privilege, dating a woman who has to find him somewhat repulsive, physically. Hey Phil---just want to remind you of something: You are exactly the same as the convicts you despise, or maybe worse. And...your young, presumptively still sexually vital "wife" is home in the bed while you are not available with your "gun"---or even your Viagra dependant pistol. Get to know the convicts, Phil. They have things to teach you. And you will die in prison, so there is no point to the fantasy that you deserve a better prison, or can con your way out of this one. Lifers in prison serve a very vital, albeit unadmitted function in American Justice. They eliminate predators who annoy them. Your wife is waiting for you to die. Her attorneys have advised her to visit and make nice with you, so as to further her financial interests. As a still living human, they know that you have the power to midify your will. Stare at the wall Phil. Talk to God if you have managed to be too frail to talk to your fellow man. Why would a normal woman want to be with your saggy, angry little body. If you would quit isolating yourself from your new and appropriate peers, you could do some good in the situation that is not going to change until they haul your wrinkled carcase out the door on a gurney. Tutor an inmate. Set up a concert. Do what you can do. And quit pretending a woman of 30 actually is attracted to
you". You have money and a reputation, maybe you used to have power. You blew it. Hope for redemption, don't kid yourself about forgiveness. Too bad you lacked sexual confidence that you were actually lovable and had to go to the gun. We women know that guys play with guns precissely because their own equipment is flawed and fearful. Die in prison my friend, but try to be more like Colson than Manson. Isolation leads to madness. Do you want to have a prison nurse have to shoot you full of drugs so she can change your diaper, or do you want to make the limited amends you can make by using the power you have as a literate and well connected male to help other inmates? You are where you belong. Make the best of it, and be glad you are not in a women's prison. You may win over the guys. The women see right through you, and would probably be smart enough to do what the lifers did to other people who deserved death sentences, but only got "life".