Phil Spector sentenced

The producer will serve 19 years to life in jail

29 May 2009 - Phil Spector has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for murdering actress Lana Clarkson 6 years ago.

In the 60's Spector made his name as a pioneering music producer - creating the Wall of Sound and working with The Ronnettes, The Righteous Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner.

Over the years he went on to produce the Beatles, Leonard Cohen and the Ramones.

He was always famous for his eccentricity as well as taking guns into the studio; but that all changed in 2003.

Actress Lana Clarkson was shot dead in the foyer of his California home, just hours after meeting him. She died of a single gunshot wound in the mouth.

In 2007 his first murder trial was declared a mistrial after the jury failed to come to a unamimous verdict.

In April Phil Spector was found guilty of second degree murder and personal use of a gun.

He has been sentenced to 15 years to life in jail for the murder charge and 4 more years for the firearms charge.

Spector will have to serve at least 19 years, until he's 88, before he's eligible for parole.

The producer has always claimed he is innocent, and his lawyers say he plans to appeal.

Lucy O'Doherty