Spector Trial Interrupted For Two Days
Testimony in Phil Spector's murder trial was canceled Monday because one of his attorneys had to see a doctor, the judge said.
Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler did not say why defense attorney Bruce Cutler had to see a physician, but he told jurors court would reconvene Wednesday.
"These things will happen, and we hope to have a better understanding," Fidler said.
Outside court, Cutler's co-counsel Roger Rosen said only that Cutler was not hospitalized.
Spector, 67, whose "Wall of Sound" transformed rock 'n' roll in the 1960s, is accused of murder in the Feb. 3, 2003, shooting of actress Lana Clarkson at his castle-like mansion in suburban Alhambra. Clarkson and Spector met at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, where she was a hostess.
Prosecutors allege Spector did not intend to kill Clarkson but caused her death by reckless behavior and taking an extreme risk.Photos: Phil Spector
Tuesday's session of the trial also was canceled, because of immigration reform rallies planned in the downtown area. Last year's rally drew hundreds of thousands of people. Although the turnout this year is uncertain, the judge said courts were asked to cancel nonessential matters.
Before dismissing the jury, the judge also asked whether any jurors had seen CBS' "48 Hours" last week. The show was not about the Spector case but included one of the prosecutors, Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson.
None of the jurors indicated they had seen the program.
"Well, so much for their ratings," Fidler said.