LOS ANGELES, April 17 (UPI) -- Jury selection is under way in a Los Angeles courtroom for the trial of record producer Phil Spector in the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.
Defense attorneys and prosecutors have a pool of 300 prospective jurors. Each side has up to 20 peremptory challenges to eliminate potential jurors for strategic reasons. The lawyers also are armed with results of an 18-page questionnaire each prospective juror was required to complete.
Spector attorney Bruce Cutler warned the group of pre-trial publicity that was "deleterious and dangerous rumors," the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. He cautioned them not to presume Spector killed Clarkson just because she was found dead in his home.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler generally sustained objections of prosecutors who often challenged Cutler's remarks, contending he was arguing when he should have been questioning.
But Cutler chastised prosecutor Alan Jackson for his repeated objections and accused him of "smirking and giggling like a girl."
"If he has something to say, he should say it to me," Cutler said.
Prosecutors contend Spector shot Clarkson when she tried to leave his mansion. The defense maintains the shooting was either suicide or an accident.
