January 17, 2007 12:32

Phil Spector trial: jury selection to begin in March

Judge plans to call up to 300 prospective jurors

Jury selection for Phil Spector’s murder trial is to begin on March 19, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said yesterday (January 16) in Los Angeles.

Spector was arrested for the suspected murder of actress Lana Clarkson on February 3, 2003.

Fidler declared: “We have to get this to trial,” adding that he plans to call as many as 300 prospective jurors to his courtroom to being the process of identifying those who could serve on the trial that may last three months.

Fidler explained that testimony is unlikely to start until three or four weeks later.

Spector did not attend the hearing, but was ordered to appear for jury selection.

He has pleaded innocent to the charge and is currently free on $1 million bail. Spector could face life in jail if found guilty.