Murder trial of music producer Phil Spector delayed to September

Thursday, March 23rd 2006, 11:03 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ A judge agreed Wednesday to postpone the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector until September, noting that prosecutors and a defense attorney have scheduling conflicts.

The trial had been set for April 24, but one of Spector's attorneys is involved in a federal trial in New York that is expected to go beyond that date, said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.

In addition, two prosecutors are scheduled to go to trial in May in the case of Michael Goodwin, who is charged with the 1988 shooting deaths of racing legend Mickey Thompson and his wife.

Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler set a new trial date of Sept. 11 for Spector.

Known for creating rock music's ``wall of sound,'' Spector, 66, is accused of killing actress Lana Clarkson in his mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.

He is free on $1 million bail. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Spector appeared in court on Wednesday in a dark blue coat. His curly hair that had been flamboyantly frizzed during prior court appearances was straight and shorter.

Spector declined to comment outside the courtroom.

Clarkson, 40, was best known as the star of Roger Corman's cult film ``Barbarian Queen.'' She was working as a hostess at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip and went home from there with Spector the night she was killed, police said.