Spector Friend Sees Killing as Accident

Record producer Phil Spector, arrested on suspicion of murder, will contend the shooting death of an actress at his Alhambra mansion last week was accidental, one of his closest friends said Tuesday.

“I understand his defense will be that this was a tragic accident,” said Marvin M. Mitchelson, a Los Angeles attorney who travels frequently with Spector.

He declined to describe how the Feb. 3 shooting of Lana Clarkson in Spector’s foyer might have occurred.

“I’ve spoken with various individuals connected with the case, and I’m 100% certain it’s not a homicide,” Mitchelson said, adding that he has not spoken directly with Spector since his arrest.

Spector, 62, remains free at a secret location on $1-million bond pending a March 3 court appearance. Sheriff’s homicide detectives are not expected to present a case for prosecution to the district attorney’s office until shortly before that date.

Sheriff’s Capt. Frank Merriman said his investigators will take the time necessary to build their case.

Spector’s attorney, Robert Shapiro, has refused to discuss the case pending the filing of charges.

Clarkson, 40, apparently was in the foyer when she was shot in the face, law enforcement sources said.

Arriving officers found Spector in the same foyer and subdued him with a Taser-like device, sources said. A handgun was found nearby.

The officers had responded to a 911 call from a chauffeur who had driven Spector and Clarkson to the house, and was outside in Spector’s Mercedes-Benz when he heard gunfire, investigators said.

Sheriff’s investigators are still trying to account for the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.

Spector had visited the House of Blues, the Sunset Strip club where Clarkson worked as a hostess. Employees saw her leave with him when her shift ended about 2:30 a.m.