PHIL SPECTOR - SPECTOR TRIAL TO BE TELEVISED

SPECTOR TRIAL TO BE TELEVISED

LATEST: A Los Angeles judge ruled Friday (16FEB07) that the murder trial of record producer PHIL SPECTOR could be televised. Attorneys for Spector had opposed cameras in the court, saying it would cause witnesses to act differently and might make jurors self-conscious. Superior Court Judge LARRY PAUL FIDLER said it was time for the justice system to get beyond the infamous OJ SIMPSON murder trial and allow cameras in the courtroom. He said, "There's going to come a time that it will be commonplace to televise trials. If it had not been for Simpson, we'd be there now." The televised trial where Simpson was acquitted of murdering ex-wife NICOLE BROWN SIMPSON and her friend RON GOLDMAN became a national phenomenon in the US in 1995. Fidler claims the televised trial would help to dispel the belief celebrities receive special treatment in court adding, "Public scrutiny is a good thing." Spector is accused of murdering actress LANA CLARKSON four years ago at his suburban mansion in Los Angeles. The 67-year-old has pleaded not guilty and has been free on $1 million (GBP513,000) bond. Jury selection in the case is scheduled to begin 19 March (07).