PHIL SPECTOR - RETRIAL FOR SPECTOR

RETRIAL FOR SPECTOR

Legendary music producer Phil Spector is to be retried for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, following the collapse of the first trial last month.

The case ended in a mistrial when it was first heard, with the jury split over whether Spector killed Ms Clarkson, 40, at his California home in February 2003.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler has now set a date for the retrial - October 23rd - though this could be delayed by Spector's search for new legal representation.

The 63-year-old producer had three legal teams during the first trial, after he fired his first and the second resigned.

His need for a new team for the second trial comes after his leading lawyer Roger Rosen stepped down - along with two other colleagues - to work for other clients.

"Of course now [Spector] is faced with this ordeal all over again and I'm sure from that point of view he's not happy," Mr Rosen told reporters.

Spector is accused of shooting Ms Clarkson in his Alhambra mansion, just hours after meeting her at the House of Blues on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip, where she worked as a hostess.