Spector Jury Only to Weigh Murder Charge

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler listens to the defense and prosecution debate over which pieces of evidence are admissible for the jury decision during music producer Phil Spector's murder trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Spector is on trial for the Feb. 3, 2003, murder of Lana Clarkson. (AP Photo/Jamie Rector, Pool) (Jamie Rector - AP)

There is no allegation in the Spector case of the premeditation or intent required for first-degree murder.

Fidler said this week that final arguments would be presented next Wednesday and Thursday, with jury deliberations to begin the following Friday, Sept. 7.

At the start of Wednesday's session, the judge clarified the new role of Riordan, a San Francisco attorney, who came in to handle jury instruction arguments. Spector's wife, Rachelle, had issued a press release Tuesday night saying that Riordan was hired as "chief counsel" to replace Bruce Cutler.

"I think that was a little bit of hyperbole," the judge said. Riordan also said he was not chief counsel.

Fidler said the chief counsel was Roger Rosen, who effectively became leader of the defense while Cutler was often absent for several weeks at a time to tape a TV judge show.

Cutler, who had been essentially sidelined after a bombastic opening statement and a rebuke by the judge for an aggressive cross-examination of a witness, abruptly left the case in a dispute with Spector over which attorney would deliver closing arguments.

Rachelle Spector said her husband decided to remove Cutler and that the music producer will now decide which attorney does the closing.

The judge also delayed a final ruling on how he will instruct jurors about discovery violations by the defense, which he said were designed to surprise the prosecution with evidence they could not immediately rebut.

The defense argued such instructions would tend to strengthen the prosecution case, which the defense said is impermissible. The prosecution insisted an instruction was required.

"There are consequences for conduct," said Jackson. "What we're talking about are intentional acts by the defense to undermine the prosecution and the court process and the rules by which we play. We have to live in a world of rules."

The judge said he would make his final instruction decisions next Wednesday before final arguments.