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Phil Spector 'had a history of gun violence towards women'
05 April 2007
Spector is also accused of having a "long history" of gun violence towards women, it is alleged.
Prosecutors in the forthcoming case in which Spector stands accused of killing actress Lana Clarkson in 2003, have asked a judge to allow testimony from a former employee and one-time girlfriend.
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Lana Clarkson died of gunshot wounds and Phil Spector, accused of killing her
She said the famed record producer pointed a gun at her head in two separate incidents that occurred decades ago.
In court documents Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson said the testimony demonstrates a "long history of gun-related violence directed at women" and should be admitted as evidence during Spector's upcoming trial,
Devra Robitaille, who worked at Warner Spector Records from 1974 to 1977, told investigators that one night Spector placed a shotgun or rifle against her forehead when she tried to leave the producer's home after a party.
"Spector, who was drunk, made some sort of joke and then said, 'Just so you know, I'll blow your head off' or 'If you try to leave, I'll blow your brains out,'" according to the court documents.
Ms Robitaille told Spector to "knock that off and put that away," and he eventually let her leave.
A similar incident occurred a decade later when she claims Spector again put a gun to her head in the foyer of his home after a night of drinking.
At the time, Robitaille had taken a job as Spector's part-time assistant.
An April 10 hearing has been scheduled to consider the prosecution's request. Prosecutors already plan to present testimony from four other women who claim Spector threatened them with a gun.
In a separate motion, prosecutors also asked the court to admit into evidence a conversation Spector reportedly had with a retired New York City police officer at a holiday party at the home of Joan Rivers in 1995 or 1996.
Vince Tannazzo, who was working security at the party, said he was asked to escort Spector out after a commotion.
While they were leaving, Tannazzo said Spector made numerous profane, disparaging and threatening remarks about women, according to the court filing.
"They all deserve to die. They all deserve a bullet in their ******* head," Tannazzo quoted Spector as saying. "That's why I got permits for all over. Wherever I go, I always keep a gun, because these *******, they're all no ******* good."
Tannazzo told authorities a similar episode occurred at the same party the following year.
Prosecutors allege Spector - creator of the "Wall of Sound" that revolutionized the recording of rock music - shot Clarkson on February 3 2003 in the foyer of his home.
She was working as a hostess at the House of Blues when she went home with Spector that night, authorities said.
The coroner's office called it a homicide, but also noted Clarkson had gunshot residue on both of her hands and may have pulled the trigger.
In an email to friends Spector called the death "an accidental suicide." He has pleaded not guilty and has been free on $1 million bail since his arrest. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Jury selection was scheduled to resume April 16.
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