Music producer Phil Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson at his mansion six years ago. Spector, a music producer, reigned as the hit maker supreme in the 1960's with such songs as the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin"' and the Ronettes' classic, "Be My Baby."

Los Angles prosecutors had previously failed to obtain convictions in "celebrity cases" with acquittals of stars such as O.J. Simpson, Robert Blake and Michael Jackson. In fact, Spector's first trial resulted in a mistrial when the jury deadlocked and as unable to reach a verdict.

In closing arguments Spector's defense attorney Doron Weinberg, listed 14 points of forensic evidence including blood spatter, gunshot residue and DNA, which he said were proof of a self-inflicted wound.   "It's very difficult to put a gun in somebody's mouth," he said.  "Every single fact says this is a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Weinberg argued.

But prosecutors portrayed Spector as a dangerous man who became a "demonic maniac" when he drank and had a history of threatening women with guns. They also contended blood spatter evidence proved that Clarkson could not have shot herself.

Under California law which allows prosecutors to introduce evidence of similar prior acts to demonstrate a pattern of conduct by a criminal defendant, they presented testimony from five women who told of being threatened by a drunken Spector, even held hostage in his home, with a gun pointed at them and threats of death if they tried to leave.

A Superior Court jury returned the verdict after about 30 hours of deliberations. The jury had the option of choosing involuntary manslaughter, but did not do so. The jury also found Spector personally used a firearm in committing the crime.

Spector's bail was revoked following the jury's verdict and he was remanded into custody pending sentencing. Spector's conviction of second-degree murder carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. The allegation of personal use of a gun carries an additional three year prison sentence. Therefore, under California law Spector will most likely be sentenced to a minimum of 18 years to life in prison.